Overcoming PCOS and Infertility

Most women don’t know they have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) until they have problems trying to conceive.  The diagnosis might come as a shock, but identifying the cause of infertility can sometimes be empowering.  Now that you know what’s affecting your ability to conceive, you can take an active role in restoring your fertility.  Although PCOS is not curable per se, treatments for PCOS and infertility can help you get pregnant.   Read on to find out about some possible treatment options.

Medical treatments

PCOS affects fertility by preventing the release of a mature egg from the ovary. For this reason, the most common medications for PCOS are drugs that induce ovulation. In rare and serious cases, surgery can treat a polycystic ovary.

Clomid with or without metformin

Clomid is an oral medication that can help you ovulate.  For this to happen, Clomid has to be taken daily for five days early in the menstrual cycle.  Within eight or ten days, you should start ovulating, but it’s common for some women to ovulate much later than this.  After six cycles of taking Clomid, studies report that you have a 30% chance of conceiving.   Doctors warn against taking Clomid for more than six cycles because it can increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

Sometimes Clomid is taken with Metformin, a medication used to treat diabetes.  PCOS is triggered by insensitivity to insulin, and Metformin reduces this by making the body more responsive to insulin.  Once insulin levels have normalized, the ovary will no longer produce as many androgens (male hormones), which will increase the chances of ovulation and a more regular menstrual cycle.

Gonadotropin injections

If the medications above do not work, the next option could be gonadotropin injections.  Gonadotropins increase the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the body, the hormone responsible for the development and release of an egg.   This medication is usually injected intramuscularly (directly into a muscle, usually the buttocks) or subcutaneously (the fatty tissue below the skin, usually the abdomen). Gonadotropin treatments begin early in the cycle and should be done daily for 8 – 14 days, or until a doctor detects at least one mature follicle through an ultrasound.  At this point, you will get a human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection, which will trigger ovulation in 36 hours.  This will help you determine the best time to have intercourse.

Ovarian drilling

Ovarian drilling is a surgical approach for PCOS, but it is only recommended when you have exhausted all other possibilities and treatments.  During the procedure, your doctor will make a tiny incision in your lower abdomen and destroy a small part of the ovary with a cautery or laser.  The theory behind ovarian drilling is that destroying ovarian tissue reduces androgen production, allowing you to manage the symptoms better and restore regular menstrual cycles.   However, ovarian drilling may end up aggravating your fertility problems instead; 30% of patients walk away with ovarian scar tissue or pelvic scarring. Studies are also highly inconsistent in the effectiveness of this procedure as a fertility treatment, with pregnancy rates ranging from 10% to 90%.

Natural treatments

Increase your chances of a successful PCOS treatment by complementing medications with lifestyle changes and alternative approaches.  These methods will not only help you get pregnant; they can also minimize the risks of complications due to PCOS.

Low carbohydrate diet

For many women, PCOS is caused by insulin resistance.  When a body does not respond to insulin, it stops using carbohydrates as energy and stores them as fat, which leads to diabetes or obesity if left unchecked.   A low-carbohydrate diet can prevent this by minimizing insulin resistance while providing the energy your body needs.  Going on a low carbohydrate diet does not mean eliminating carbohydrates completely. Limit or eliminate your consumption of refined carbohydrates, and refined sugar. Replace these with low-glycemic index carbohydrates from nuts, low glycemic index fruits, and vegetables. Make sure your meals have enough protein – white meat, lean meat, nuts, and low-fat dairy.  Buy organic food as much as you can and avoid sugar in all forms.

Vitamins and supplements

A lack of vitamins and key nutrients can aggravate PCOS, but you can correct this with a high-quality multivitamin.  The following vitamins and supplements are known to improve your body’s response to insulin:

  • Zinc and magnesium balance blood sugar levels and suppress appetite.
  • Chromium helps insulin respond to hunger and cravings.
  • Co-enzyme Q10 improves carbohydrate metabolism, or the way our bodies use carbohydrates for energy.
  • B-vitamins are needed for hormonal balance, fat burning, and energy production.

Herbs

Certain herbs are very effective natural treatments for PCOS. By acting on your blood sugar levels and hormone production, herbs can improve your chances of conceiving.

  • Chasteberry works on the pituitary gland and regulates androgen levels, preventing cycles with no ovulation.  This herb can also increase progesterone levels, giving you an ideal luteal phase and preventing miscarriage. This herb can be taken in tincture or capsule form for 18 months or until pregnancy occurs.
  • Brindall berries are small tropical fruits from central Asia.  They contain hydroxyl citric acid, which helps the body metabolize carbohydrates instead of storing them as fat.  Brindall berries also suppress cravings, reduce appetite, and increasing insulin sensitivity.