Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have a hard time conceiving naturally. Motherhood is not an impossible dream for them, however, as there are ways to help them conceive.
UNDERSTANDING PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women all over the world. A woman with PCOS will have ovaries which contain many tiny immature follicles (which are sacs containing eggs) that resemble cysts. These follicles resemble strands of pearls in an ultrasound image.
Hormonal Imbalances
Dr Lim Lei Jun explains that PCOS is actually a condition in which a woman’s hormones go out of balance. We still have yet to fully understand the cause of this imbalance, but we know that it can end up causing issues that can affect the woman’s life in many areas.
For example, the ovaries normally produce only a small amount of male sex hormones or androgens. The ovaries of a woman with PCOS end up producing far more androgens than normal, however,causing problems such as:
Irregular periods or irregular release of mature eggs from the ovaries. This affects her ability to conceive.
Growth of extra facial or body hair and increased frequency of acne.
Over time, her body may begin experiencing insulin resistance. As a result, she develops type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can also give rise to various associated health conditions such as kidney problems, high cholesterol levels, heart problems and more.
The hormonal imbalance can also affect her mental health, making her more prone to depression.
Dr Lim adds that while two thirds of women with PCOS are overweight or obese, there are also women with normal weight or even who are underweight who can also have PCOS. Among the latter group, their condition is called 'thin PCOS'.
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