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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Getting Pregnant with PCOS



It would seem with all of the teen pregnancy out there that getting pregnant is a very simple matter. Everyone knows how it happens, but there are some people that don't understand why it is not happening to them. They are married with a good life, but for some reason a baby is not in the cards at the moment. When the time comes, most couples assume they will have an easy time of it. It is not always that simple. Medical issues can get in the way. Getting pregnant with PCOS can be hard, but it is very possible.

Getting pregnant with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is not always a problem. Some women with this condition get pregnant with ease and never know that they have PCOS. Others have the more problematic symptoms of this condition like weight gain, acne, facial hair, insulin resistance, dark spots on the back of the neck or on the feet, thinning hair, and irregular or non-existent periods. Most women with PCOS fall somewhere in the middle without all of the symptoms. However, no matter what your symptoms, the chances of having a hard time getting pregnant are higher than with other women.

The biggest problem with getting pregnant with PCOS is that some women have irregular periods. This means that they are not ovulating, ovulate late, or they do so sporadically. Some only do it a few times a year, if it all. That, as you can imagine, makes it harder to get pregnant. Instead of twelve chances a year to conceive, they have three or four chances at most. On top of that, because they are not regular, they have no idea when or if ovulation occurs and they often miss their fertile window. It can be very frustrating.

Those trying to get pregnant with PCOS have a few options. They should first make sure they do have PCOS by talking to their doctor about the proper tests to confirm the condition. They can then talk to their doctor about medications and procedures that can make it easier for them to get pregnant. The male in the equation may want to be tested for any problems like low motility or sperm count too, just to get that out of the way. A plan of action can then be put in place, often with good results. Knowing what the problem is can be half of the battle.

There are some women that have problems getting pregnant with PCOS, only to give up on their dream of having a baby. I was one of those people. Much to my surprise, I had a healthy son after numerous miscarriages and giving up on the idea of a baby altogether. I was 36 at the time, which means it is never too late. PCOS is a problem, but it does not have to mean the end of your dream of having a family. Listen to your doctor, take care of your health and your weight, and give it time. Never give up and never stop trying.