The connection between polycystic ovarian syndrome and pregnancy is a close one, since PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility. However, though the syndrome is known to lower fertility, it is not impossible for women with the condition to become pregnant.
Pregnancy Problems likely to occur among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Problems getting Pregnant – PCOS impairs normal ovulation in a woman and also causes certain hormonal imbalances and irregular monthly periods which is what prevents her from getting pregnant. it is thought that PCOS could impair the quality of eggs that a woman produces, making pregnancy even more difficult.
A woman, who has PCOS and is having difficulty getting pregnant, may also have certain emotional issues to deal with: She may feel anxiety and stress about trying and failing to get pregnant.
She may feel depressed as a result and may be embarrassed about her appearance (due to symptoms such as weight gain, acne, Hirsutism and others that women with PCOS frequently have).
How a woman can get pregnant even with the polycystic ovarian syndrome
Though PCOS does lower fertility, it is possible for a woman to make lifestyle modifications to control blood sugar and lower body weight, which can help her increase her fertility levels. Regular exercise and lowering consumption of sugary and processed foods is known to help.
Further she can give up smoking and drinking to further improve her general health and wellbeing. Sometimes lifestyle alterations are enough for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and pregnancy can result after the implementation of these changes.
Diabetes medications can help to lower blood sugar and improve insulin resistance, which is one of the symptoms of PCOS that lowers fertility. If however fertility is not sufficiently restored to result in a desired pregnancy, a woman may be advised to take fertility drugs to regularize ovulation.
These drugs will make the ovaries undergo ovulation, however very often more than one egg is released during ovulation which is why multiple pregnancies very often result when a woman has undergone fertility treatments.
Things to keep in mind about polycystic ovarian syndrome and pregnancy
There is another way n which polycystic ovarian syndrome impacts pregnancy. It is seen that when a woman has PCOS she is more likely to have certain pregnancy complications such as premature labor and deliver, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
This condition also puts a woman at higher risk of having a miscarriage and an estimated 45% of women with PCOS could have miscarriages since there could be problems with the implantation and development of the embryo due to hormonal and insulin problems.
There could also be risks for the baby born to a woman with PCOS: the baby is more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care, or having other fatal complications.
Having looked at the several possible problems relating to polycystic ovarian syndrome and pregnancy however, women should remember, that many women who have this problem go on to have healthy, successful pregnancies and perfectly healthy babies subsequently.
