How to get Pregnant with PCOS – Don’t Make This Mistake

How to get pregnant with PCOS? Getting pregnant with Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) involves a dietary and lifestyle makeover. PCOS is a metabolic condition affecting the menstrual cycle, female fertility, hormonal levels, insulin production and the circulatory system. Women have male hormones in the body but female hormones are of a higher concentration. If you have PCOS, you have higher levels of male hormones instead and may develop cysts on your ovaries. Women with PCOS usually have irregular periods.

About 5 to 10% of women have polycystic ovarian syndrome.

How to get pregnant with PCOS – Symptoms and Treatment

Common symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome include irregular periods or no period at all, irregular ovulation with or without menstruation, acne breakouts, facial hair and other unwanted hair growth, thinning of the scalp hair, buildup of unruptured mature follicles on the exterior of the ovaries also known as a ‘string of pearls’. There may be excessive insulin production that may lead to overproduction of male hormones in a woman’s body. Elevated levels of male hormones in your body may cause acne, excessive unwanted hair growth, weight gain and problems with ovulation.

PCOS may reduce the quality of your eggs because of excessively high insulin levels in your body. Decreased egg quality may also be caused by delayed ovulation common in women with PCOS.

There is no known solution for polycystic ovarian syndrome. The theory is that PCOS is linked to a genetic factor but further studies are needed.

PCOS is a condition that can be managed to the point that you don’t have any symptoms and can conceive naturally. Treating polycystic ovarian syndrome symptoms may reduce risks of health problems in the future but it is important that you address the underlying hormonal issues causing PCOS symptoms in the first place. If you treat the symptoms alone, you are masking a more serious condition existing underneath the surface.

PCOS can be effectively managed with healthy diet, regular exercise and in certain cases medical intervention. PCOS without overall treatment, may progress into frank diabetes and even endometrial cancer.

Overall treatment of PCOS often eliminates most of the symptoms. Women who have been able to manage PCOS are among the healthiest in the population because of the change in their diet and lifestyle. Treatment plans vary from woman to woman, depending on the symptoms affecting you. Consult with your naturopath to find the perfect treatment plan for you and show you how to get pregnant with PCOS.

Exercise

Exercising regularly can help use up glucose in the blood for energy. This lowers glucose levels in the bloodstream, helps use insulin more effectively and regulates menstrual cycles. As a result, insulin levels are gradually reduced even if you only do mild exercise. Exercise helps improve blood circulation, build muscle and speeds up weight loss – if you need to lose weight. Exercise can also help eliminate PMS and dysmenorrhea – period cramps.

Weight Loss

Most women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome are obese or overweight. This causes further health problems. Manage your PCOS by managing your weight. Eat healthily and limit your intake of processed foods and sweet products. Incorporate whole-grain foods into your diet. Fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, nuts and seeds make up a balanced and a healthy diet. Avoid dairy products, including low fat and no fat dairy products as the consumption of these dairy products has been linked to excess androgen (male hormone) production, acne and altered insulin metabolism.

So in answer to your question: “How to get pregnant with PCOS” your success will largely depend maintaining a healthy weight with exercise and diet. Remember, even a 10% decrease in body mass can help restore normal menstrual cycles and ovulation. That’s a realistic and achievable goal especially if you want to know how to get pregnant with PCOS.

Do you have PCOS? Did you get pregnant in spite of PCOS? What did you use to manage your condition? What advice would you give to other women looking how to get pregnant with PCOS? I would love to hear from you.

Sources:

• American Pregnancy Association.2011.09 March 2011
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, Inc. 2009.09 March 2011
• The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc. 2008. 09 March 2011

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