Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition which affects the ovaries. This syndrome affects about 10% of women and usually begins shortly after puberty. PCOS and pregnancy are not mutually exclusive, in fact many women who develop polycystic ovaries can still bear children. In some cases though, these cysts can cause a hormonal imbalance, and this is where the trouble starts for women looking to get pregnant, and this hormonal imbalance can drastically alter their bodily functions such as their reproductive organs, making a PCOS pregnancy impossible without intervention.
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One of the most common causes of PCOS is the overproduction of testosterone in women. This can lead to other noticeable side effects as well which may hint at the possibility that PCOS may be present. Some of these symptoms of high testosterone levels include acne, unnatural feminine hair growth (such as on the cheeks, chest and/or back), high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and any number of hormone imbalances such as insulin and progesterone.
If Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is believed to be affecting a woman’s ability to get pregnant, there are several treatment methods available, which can limit or completely remove the negative effects of PCOS on pregnancy. These treatment methods can typically be broken down into two categories, drug dependant treatments, and natural treatments. Which treatment plan a patient decides to choose will largely be based on personal choice.
If going the way of drugs, the most common treatment plan will include birth control pills, androgen (male hormone) reducing pills, and drugs to help further regulate the patient’s hormone levels. In some cases, the patient may wish to undergo surgery to remove the cysts, though since the cysts themselves are rarely the actual cause of infertility, this method should be a last resort, unless the ovaries have grown overly large, in which case a doctor may recommend they be removed. One issue with traditional drugs is the potential for unwanted side effects, and the drugs can also prove to be costly.
On the natural health front, treatment plans are usually tailored to the individual, and usually involve improving their general health first and foremost, which may help to clear up the PCOS, before taking more aggressive action if all else fails. These treatment programs could include things like acupuncture, an increased emphasis on supplement intake, exercise, body detoxification, the creation of an improved diet, and much more. Natural health has shown remarkable results where traditional medicine has at times put its arms up into the air and shrugged.
Regardless of the effect of PCOS on pregnancy, all women should have the causes of PCOS treated, whether they plan on having children or not. Leaving the PCOS (and the underlying causes) untreated, could lead to several serious diseases in the future, such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
For more information on overcoming PCOS for pregnancy and general health reasons, as well as a host of other pregnancy related information, feel free to check out Lisa Olson’s Pregnancy Miracle, a top notch guide on all things pregnancy.