Does PCOS Cause Infertility? Know in Detail

Does PCOS Lead to Infertility? Know in Detail

Almost every woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS has one question on her mind—can PCOS cause infertility? The answer is yes, severe PCOS can lead to infertility as it can affect ovulation.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome involves hormonal imbalance and problems with metabolism. Thus, it can cause many problems with the female reproductive system and affect other aspects of the female’s life. This article will explain the relation between PCOS and infertility; keep reading to learn more.

What Is PCOS?

PCOS is not a disease in itself but a collection of symptoms that indicate altered hormone levels. It is called polycystic ovarian syndrome because it results in the development of small cysts or fluid-filled sacs on the rim of the ovaries. Along with ovarian cysts, other symptoms of this syndrome are excessive amounts of male hormones and irregular periods.

According to research, about 5-3% of women of reproductive age across the globe are affected with PCOS; however, the good news is that it is manageable.

What Is Infertility?

Each woman is born with a limited number of eggs in her ovaries. After puberty, one of these eggs matures fully each month and is released. If this egg is fertilised by sperm, it then gets implanted in the uterus and develops into a baby.

This is the usual scenario when everything works well. In case, there is any disturbances in this complex process, it can lead to infertility or the inability to conceive. Infertility in females can be caused by numerous problems. Thus, many women wonder— does PCOS cause infertility? Since you are now aware that PCOS can lead to infertility, let us look at how PCOS relates to infertility.

Factors Contributing to Infertility in PCOS

Listed below are some of the factors that contribute to infertility in females with PCOS by interfering with ovulation:

• High levels of androgens
• Formation of small, fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries
• Thickening of the outer shell of the ovaries
• Increased insulin levels in blood

How PCOS Causes Infertility?

Are you thinking about how does PCOS lead to infertility? There are two ways in which PCOS interferes with the natural menstrual cycle of the woman and causes infertility:

• Disrupted Ovulation Cycle: Firstly, it disrupts the ovulation cycle. In the case of women with PCOS, when the eggs in her ovaries start to mature, the pituitary gland does not produce the hormones required for the eggs to develop. As a result, the eggs remain immature and are not released. The follicle sacs containing these eggs turn into cysts around the inner rim of the ovaries. For a woman to get pregnant, sexual intercourse must take place after a mature egg has been released. This is usually 2 weeks after a period. Since the body does not release eggs regularly, women with PCOS have highly irregular periods. They may even miss a period of two. Many women with PCOS have no more than 8 periods in a year. This makes it very difficult for them to plan a pregnancy.
• Shortened Luteal Phase: Secondly, PCOS can shorten the luteal phase that follows ovulation. This is the phase where the lining of the uterus thickens itself in order to prepare for a pregnancy. It usually lasts for about 12-14 days. When the body does not produce enough progesterone hormones, this luteal phase is shortened. As a result, the lining does not develop properly. This makes it exceedingly difficult for the fertilised egg to be implanted in the uterus. As a result, the menstrual cycle may continue as normal, and woman may miscarry before she realised that she is pregnant. Along with making it difficult for a woman to conceive, PCOS also increase the risks of pregnancy-related complications.

Lifestyle Changes for Women to Improve Fertility

Here are some lifestyle changes that can help females with PCOS improve fertility:

• Consuming a low calorie, low carb diet
• Working out in moderate for at least 30 minutes thrice a week
• Loosing excess weight

Apart from this, females with PCOS may also consider using acupuncture or essential oils to alleviate symptoms.

Conclusion

PCOS can lead to infertility. Thus, it is important to manage the condition and ensure proper health and well-being. If you experience infertility induced by PCOS, you can consider in vitro fertilisation (IVF) as this can help you plan a family.

FAQs About PCOS and Infertility

Q. Does PCOS affect fertility?

A. Yes. PCOS causes hormonal imbalance in the body, which has a direct influence on fertility.

Q. Does PCOS cause infertility?

A. Yes. Severe cases of PCOS can cause infertility by hindering with the ovulation cycle.

Q. What are the common symptoms of PCOS?

A. Here are some of the common symptoms of PCOS:

• Hirsutism or excessive body hair growth in typical male pattern
• Severe acne
• Skin tags on the neck or armpits
• Weight gain
• Difficulty in losing weight
• Patches of darkened thick skin