Can I Get Pregnant with PCOS?<\/h2>\n
Infertility is a reality for\u00a070-80% of people with PCOS<\/a>, and PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility nationwide. However, that does not mean you can\u2019t get pregnant if you have PCOS. It may be more difficult for you to get pregnant, and you may need assistance with fertility treatments to help with ovulation, but PCOS-related infertility is often treatable.<\/p>\n Your TTC journey may be longer than for some women without PCOS, but modern medical advances have helped many get pregnant with PCOS. Remember, \u201cinfertility\u201d doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t get pregnant at all; rather, it\u2019s defined as not getting pregnant after a year of regular, unprotected sex. According to the\u00a0CDC<\/a>, about 1 in 8 U.S. couples experience infertility.<\/p>\n PCOS causes a variety of symptoms that can make getting pregnant more difficult. You may not have all of the symptoms below, and they aren\u2019t exclusive to a PCOS diagnosis, but they can be more common when you\u2019re living with PCOS. They can also occur together, creating a compounding negative effect on your fertility. PCOS symptoms that can affect your fertility include:<\/p>\n That can look like a long list of ways PCOS can make it harder to get pregnant, but there are some things you can do to help your chances of getting pregnant with PCOS.<\/p>\n Being obese or overweight can make pregnancy more difficult for anyone, with or without PCOS. Check in with your doctor about a nutritional plan and exercise schedule if you\u2019re trying to get pregnant. Try to avoid high sugar foods and drinks, processed or fried foods, and high-glycemic carbohydrates as much as possible. Substitute a lean protein, lots of vegetables, extra fiber, and plenty of water to help keep your blood sugar stable and feel full.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re trying to conceive, you can improve your fertility chances by quitting smoking \u2013 and that goes for your partner as well.\u00a0Research<\/a>\u00a0shows that smoking can make it more difficult to conceive, negatively affect hormone production, harm your reproductive system, and damage the DNA in sperm and eggs.<\/p>\n Limit your alcohol intake (and your partner, too!) if you\u2019re trying to conceive.\u00a0Studies show<\/a>\u00a0that consuming more than 5 units of alcohol per week (3 beers or glasses of wine) adversely affects your chances of getting pregnant. Caffeine has been linked in studies to disrupting implantation and early pregnancy loss, so it\u2019s best to cut back or eliminate both alcohol and caffeine if you want to up your odds of a successful and sustained pregnancy.<\/p>\n PCOS may affect when and how often you ovulate because it can disrupt hormones that trigger an egg to ripen or release. Use an app, an\u00a0ovulation calendar<\/a>, or take an ovulation test to help understand when you may be ovulating and if you are ovulating regularly. Share this information with your health care provider so you can decide if additional help may be right for you.<\/p>\n As noted above, PCOS is strongly correlated to insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and Type 2 diabetes. Paying attention to your body\u2019s insulin levels and keeping them stable and within normal limits can help your chances of getting pregnant. Check in with your doctor for advice about a low-sugar diet or medication that will help lower and stabilize your insulin levels.<\/p>\n Many women with PCOS need fertility medications that help stimulate the ovaries to release eggs. Pills such as\u00a0clomiphene citrate, letrozole, or bromocriptine<\/a>\u00a0taken at specific times during your menstrual cycle can help you ovulate. There are also injections that may help balance hormones and cause ovulation.<\/p>\n An increasingly common option for people trying to conceive (with or without PCOS) is intrauterine insemination (IUI) aka \u201cartificial insemination\u201d or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). As of 2019 (most recent CDC data available<\/a>), about 2% of babies born in the US were from IVF \u2013 almost 84,000 live born infants! IUI is often an early option for people with PCOS to help you get pregnant, which can be followed by IVF if needed. IVF can be\u00a0a long process<\/a>, but for many, many people every year, it results in successful pregnancies.<\/p>\n According to Pew Research Study, 33% of Americans have either used fertility treatments or know someone who has, with an even greater number of people seeking medical advice for infertility. You\u2019re not alone if you\u2019re having trouble getting pregnant with PCOS and there are solutions that have helped millions of people achieve their goal of pregnancy. Visit our\u00a0mission page<\/a>\u00a0to find resources for additional support.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re trying to conceive, it can be a good idea to keep at-home pregnancy tests on hand so you can\u00a0test early and often<\/a>. FIRST RESPONSE\u2122 has a\u00a0range of pregnancy tests available<\/a>\u00a0to help detect a pregnancy. Try our #1 best-selling Early Result Pregnancy Test detects the pregnancy hormone 6 days sooner than the day of your missed period (5 days before the day of expected period) and is >99% accurate at detecting typical pregnancy hormone levels.<\/p>\n![\"Symptoms](\"https:\/\/www.firstresponse.com\/images\/article-images\/how-does-pcos-affect-fertility-and-pregnancy-01.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow Does PCOS Affect Fertility?<\/h2>\n
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Tips for Getting Pregnant with PCOS<\/h2>\n
Things You Can Do to Help Improve Chances of Getting Pregnant<\/h3>\n
Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight<\/h4>\n
Quit Smoking<\/h4>\n
Curb Alcohol and Caffeine<\/h4>\n
Monitor Ovulation<\/h4>\n
Speak with Your Medical Professional About \u2026<\/h3>\n
Insulin Levels<\/h4>\n
Fertility Medications<\/h4>\n
IVF or IUI<\/h4>\n
You are Not Alone: Get Support for TTC with PCOS<\/h2>\n
First Response\u2122 Can Help You Know If You\u2019re Pregnant<\/h2>\n