Effective Tips on How to Get Pregnant Fast with PCOS

If you are trying to get pregnant and have been told that you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), then you will want to know that you are not the only one!

PCOS affects 5-10% of women in the reproductive period. It affects levels of the hormones required by the ovary to produce mature eggs (ovulation), making it harder to conceive. These hormonal changes include increased male hormones (androgens like testosterone) and changes in female hormone levels (FSH and LH).

PCOS is also associated with changes that will affect the quality of the eggs produced and the sensitivity of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), thus making the process of conception difficult. These changes include oxidative stress when there's an imbalance between free radicals (compounds that can damage cells) and antioxidants (compounds that neutralize free radicals) in the body. Also, there is chronic inflammation (where the immune system continues to send out signals, leading to ongoing tissue damage) and insulin resistance (when your body cells don’t respond to insulin).

However, do not get disappointed, as there are several options to help women with PCOS and pregnancy goals to conceive!

Alena Menshikova

Concept polycystic ovary syndrome

Common Symptoms of PCOS:

• Irregular or absent periods.
• Excessive body and facial hair.
• Acne.
• Hair loss or thinning.
• Trouble getting pregnant.
• Weight gain.
• Heavy periods.
• Darkened skin or growths like skin tags within the neck or armpit areas.

To receive a diagnosis of PCOS, you’ll typically need to meet two out of three criteria:

• Higher levels of male hormones that cause symptoms like acne or unwanted hair growth.
• Irregular periods or no periods at all.
• Ovaries with multiple small cysts detected on an ultrasound.
  

Insulin Resistance:

Insulin resistance is a major factor in the high male hormones found in approximately 70% of women with PCOS.

Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells become less responsive to the insulin hormone, which is responsible for moving glucose from the blood into the cells for energy use. When cells don't respond effectively to insulin, the glucose will remain in the blood and stimulate more insulin production to maintain blood sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to higher blood insulin levels and increased blood sugar levels.

When insulin levels are high due to insulin resistance, insulin can stimulate the ovary’s cells to produce more male hormones like testosterone, leading the ovaries not to release a mature egg during the menstrual cycle and affecting the uterine lining function.

VSh PRODUCTION

Diabetic devices - glucometer, lancet and insulin

How to Get Pregnant with PCOS Quickly

Research indicates that achieving a balance between lifestyle changes, weight management, medical treatments, and emotional support significantly improved the balance between PCOS and pregnancy by increasing PCOS pregnancy rates.

1. Manage Your Weight

This is important more than ever. Overweight and obesity relates to worsening insulin resistance and high male hormones in patients with PCOS. Weight loss restores mature egg production and regular menstrual cycles in more than 50% of women.

2. Exercise

Regular physical activity is an excellent way to enhance insulin sensitivity, reduce fat, and improve overall well-being. Studies have shown that exercise programs with fertility treatment significantly improve egg production rates among women with PCOS and pregnancy rates are increased about 60% by the end of treatment.

3. Maintain Your Blood Glucose Levels

PCOS typically changes how your body uses insulin to move glucose from the blood into the cells for energy use. Improved management of insulin and blood sugar levels positively increases the chances of conception. Use healthy foods high in fiber, proteins, and healthy fats. Exercise and strength training will also help your body use insulin more effectively.

Your doctor could prescribe medications such as metformin to help your body utilize insulin better and lower high blood sugar. If you have high blood sugar levels or type 2 diabetes, it is pivotal to check your blood sugar daily with the help of a home monitor. Meanwhile, your doctor may ask you to do some additional tests that include:

• A random blood sugar test.
• An overnight fasting blood sugar test.
• Oral glucose tolerance tests (which involve fasting and then having a sugary drink).
• The hemoglobin A1C test gives you a picture of the average blood sugar level over the last few months.

4. Change Your Diet Habits

Balancing protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats in your meals can support hormonal regulation and your health. Use foods that have a minimal impact on blood sugar levels such as:

• Non-starchy Vegetables: Such as leafy greens, broccoli, and peppers.
• Most Fruits: Especially apples, oranges, berries, and cherries.
• Legumes: Including beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
• Whole Grains: Like barley, quinoa, and oats.
• Nuts and Seeds
• Dairy Products: Such as milk, yogurt, and cheese (though some individuals with lactose intolerance should be cautious).
• Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as those in fatty fish or flaxseeds, and antioxidants (vitamins C and E) help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with PCOS. In addition, limiting red meat, removing sugar wherever possible, and changing daily consumption of regular tea or coffee to green tea helps. Herbs and spices like ginger, cumin, and fennel can add health benefits and flavor.

Kulkova Daria

Healthy eating

5. Use Supplements

• Inositol: A study showed that inositol supplementation can enhance the ovary's function in producing mature eggs in women with PCOS.
• Vitamin D: Many women with PCOS find themselves low in vitamin D, which is super important for reproductive health. Supplementing with vitamin D provides better metabolic as well as reproductive results.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A study found that omega-3 supplementation can lower testosterone levels in women with PCOS.
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): could improve egg quality and fertility.
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has improved ovulation rates and reduced insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

6. Medications that your doctor may prescribe for you

Metformin increases insulin sensitivity and decreases male hormones, promoting the production of mature eggs in the ovaries and improving menstrual regularity. In the long run, it manifests benefits such as lowered risks of miscarriages among women with PCOS. When metformin is combined with other forms of fertility treatments, often the patient ends up with a better outcome than the expected outcome.

PCOS Weight Loss Medications: GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs such as Ozempic and Saxenda enhance appetite control and weight loss, which can be more than welcomed by women who face PCOS weight loss struggles.

7. Ovulation Induction Therapies

Clomiphene Citrate is one of the frontliners in ovulation induction among women diagnosed with PCOS. It pushes the body to produce and secrete mature eggs. However, it's important to note that it has some limitations, such as a higher incidence of multiple pregnancies and a thinner uterine lining.

Letrozole: Research indicates that letrozole may be more effective than clomiphene in terms of higher ovulation and live birth rates.

Injectable Hormones (Gonadotropins): In cases where previous medications don’t quite cut their work, injectable hormone preparations can be a suitable next step. These treatments are effective but require close monitoring to ensure the best outcomes and avoid such iatrogenic complications.

8. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

ART refers to medical procedures used primarily to address infertility. These procedures involve the handling of eggs and sperm outside the body to achieve a better PCOS pregnancy rate. Some common ART methods include:

• IVF: Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus.
• ICSI: A single sperm is injected directly into an egg to facilitate fertilization.
• Cryopreservation: Eggs, sperm, or embryos are frozen for future use.

Statistics indicate more responsiveness of female patients with PCOS to be an ART candidate. Other studies proposed the intake of birth control pills by PCOS before embarking on ART treatment may show better results. The doctor will add some more medication to balance your hormones as an enhancement to prepare your body for the process.

However, the first step for everybody considering ART is to have a healthy diet and exercise regularly to achieve a healthy weight. When women are at a healthy weight, they have double the chance of conception through ART as compared to women with obesity.

Iryna Inshyna

Assisted reproductive technologies

9. Psychological and Emotional Support

PCOS and pregnancy challenges can significantly affect your emotions, and this is completely normal. To help manage the stress that comes with these difficulties, consider exploring techniques such as mindfulness, counseling, or joining support groups. These approaches can enhance your overall well-being and may even improve your PCOS and pregnancy rates. It’s important to build a supportive network of healthcare providers, friends, and family.

The Best Age to Get Pregnant with PCOS:

Fertility (the best age to get pregnant) naturally declines with age, and women with PCOS may experience an even greater decrease in their chances of conceiving. Research indicates that the best age to get pregnant with PCOS is in the late twenties or early thirties. It's also crucial to understand that age-related changes, such as a decrease in ovarian egg reserve and egg quality, can impact the best age to get pregnant with PCOS. For women over 35, it may be wise to seek an early evaluation and consider being more proactive with fertility treatments to enhance their chances of success. However, advancements in fertility treatment technologies allow even women in their late thirties or early forties to contemplate having children.

Conclusion:

Managing fertility in women with PCOS and pregnancy difficulty may seem complex, but a holistic approach focusing on hormonal level stability, weight management through lifestyle changes or PCOS weight loss medication, and emotional well-being is achievable. By combining lifestyle interventions, medical treatments, and advanced reproductive technologies, women with PCOS can work towards their goal of becoming pregnant. Collaborating with a healthcare provider ensures personalized care tailored to individual needs. With determination and a focus on evidence-based strategies, along with planning for conception at the best age to get pregnant with PCOS, women with PCOS can achieve successful pregnancies.