Introduction
PCOS and PCOD are hormonal disorders that affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. Although PCOS and PCOD are two different disorders, they often have similar symptoms.
Both PCOS and PCOD can impact one’s menstrual health, decreasing the chances of conception.
But with proper management techniques, we can control the symptoms of PCOS and PCOD and increase the chances of conception.
How is PCOS different from PCOD?
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women. Although the exact cause of PCOS in females is still not known, It is an endocrine disorder that makes the ovaries produce excess levels of androgen, also called the male hormone. This results in many cysts not letting ovulation happen every month.
Whereas, one of the causes of PCOD in female is when the ovaries release immature eggs, causing hormonal imbalance, thus leading to irregular ovulation patterns.
Most of the PCOD PCOS symptoms, like irregular periods, weight gain, acne, etc.,etc are common, and hence they are often associated together.
PCOD and PCOS infertility are the most common issues that around 70 to 80% of women with these conditions suffer from.
Does PCOS or PCOD cause infertility?
PCOS infertility is one of the most discussed things about women with PCOS. Although PCOS and PCOD do not directly cause infertility, women who are trying to get pregnant with PCOS and PCOD find it difficult to conceive as they do not tend to ovulate every month, which is also called anovulation.
Anovulation, along with other symptoms like weight gain and hormonal imbalance, make it difficult for them to conceive.
How is infertility associated with PCOS or PCOD?
Infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and PCOD are very common. Most women with these conditions suffer from infertility, as the symptoms often affect their reproductive health.
Since irregular periods lead to anovulation, the routine menstrual cycle is disrupted, which makes it difficult to get pregnant.
What are the main causes of infertility?
There could be a lot of reasons for infertility, like:
Egg quality: One of the main causes of infertility could be due to low egg quality. Poor egg quality could be due to an age factor (over 35), multiple previous miscarriages, etc.
In order to improve the egg quality, one can consult with a gynecologist and take the necessary steps.
Ovulatory disorders: Ovulatory disorders can be caused due to PCOS, thyroid, endometriosis, and other issues.
It is often caused when there is no regular ovulation every month, which disrupts egg production.
Fallopian tube disorders: Fallopian tube disorders are infections that damage the fallopian tube, making it difficult to get pregnant.
Since the fallopian tube is the place where the egg fuses with the sperm, any damage to the fallopian tube makes it difficult to get pregnant.
Hormonal imbalance: One of the other common causes of infertility is hormonal imbalance. Imbalances in reproductive hormones like androgen, oestrogen, progesterone, and other hormones disrupt ovulation, which in turn makes it difficult to conceive.
PCOS infertility is one of the common causes of infertility caused by hormonal imbalance.
Obesity: Although not everyone who is obese can face infertility issues, obesity is also one of the common causes of infertility, as it can sometimes cause hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, etc.
Genetic issues: Genetic conditions like tubal blockage and other tubal abnormalities, as well as hyperprolactinemia, can result in infertility too.
Pre-existing health conditions: Certain health conditions and the medication that is taken for these conditions can interrupt ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant.
Smoking or drinking alcohol: Smoking or drinking alcohol is another common cause of infertility in both men and women. The rate of infertility is extremely high for those who smoke and consume alcohol regularly.
Treatment for PCOS infertility
- Treat pre-existing health conditions: Treat any health conditions like PCOS, PCOD, thyroid, endometriosis, and other issues before trying for pregnancy, as the medication for these conditions might interrupt ovulation, making it difficult to conceive.
- Lifestyle changes: One of the most important things to consider when trying for a baby or while battling infertility is to modify the lifestyle. Improving the lifestyle by having a healthy, balanced diet with all the required vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, along with a regular exercise routine, is important.
- Consult with a gynecologist: It is suggested to consult with a gynecologist not just when battling with fertility issues but also even before planning for pregnancy to ensure there are no complications or issues.
- Fertility treatments: Healthcare professionals might suggest fertility treatments like follicular studies, which are the baseline fertility treatments to study the follicles, and even advanced treatments like IVF and IUI.
It is also important to check the blood sugar, blood pressure, and thyroid levels of both father and mother as they are equally responsible for the fertilization process
When should I see a doctor for infertility?
It is advised to visit a doctor for infertility issues after a year of trying to conceive. It is also suggested that you consult with a gynecologist as soon as you plan on having a baby.
Conclusion
PCOS and PCOD are disorders that mainly affect the menstrual cycle of a woman. PCOS is less severe and can be easily managed.
When it comes to PCOS and infertility, it is possible to reduce the symptoms and get pregnant.
We highly recommend consulting with a gynecologist to help you get pregnant.
PCOS and PCOD symptoms and treatments may vary from person to person. Hence it is important to consult with a gynecologist and talk about your specific concerns with them.
For appointments and consultations with the best gynecologist in Chennai Dr. Deepthi Jammi, Contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733.
Chennai women’s clinic is now Jammi Scans
