Pregnancy Against The Odds

PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is the most common cause of infertility among women. The condition may interfere with the release of the eggs from the ovaries. If you have PCOS, your body over-produces androgens which are often called as male hormones, even though women's body produces them as well.

The hormonal imbalance that is caused by PCOS can prevent the eggs releasing from the ovaries. Some other typical symptoms of PCOS include abnormal hair growth, weight gain, missed or irregular periods, and acne.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome has been shown to run in families so knowing your family's history is always a crucial key in determining if the symptoms are related to something else or indeed PCOS symptoms.

Some natural treatments for PCOS include weight loss, regular exercise, eating healthy, and not smoking. There are cases where the use of a medication also is incorporated to help with the control and balance of the hormones.

Even though there are no ultimate cures for PCOS, there are a lot of ways to keep the symptoms and complications in check. For example, the risks of diabetes and infertility can be lower with a proper treatment plan.

As mentioned above, healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and healthy diet are very effective ways to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS. Besides, if you are smoker you need to stop right now. Many women have experienced significant relief from their symptoms just making some changes to their lifestyle.

In the case you are planning to get pregnant and have a baby, these lifestyle changes are even more crucial. Studies have proven that in obese women, who have difficulties to become pregnant, even only a small amount of weight loss has significantly increased their odds of getting pregnant. It has helped them to get their hormones in balance and regulated their menstrual cycle, thus regaining their ovulation.

Again, regular exercise and a healthy diet are the first steps you should take if you are planning on getting pregnant and starting a family. If you are a smoker you should think about quitting since it increases the amount of androgens in your body and increases your risk of developing heart disease.

If you are planning on starting a family and weight loss does not give you the improvement in your fertility that you need your doctor may have to prescribe some medications to help move along the process. One of the choices may be a prescription that helps to lower your insulin levels to help balance out your hormones.

Lowered amounts of insulin along with weight loss have been proven to increase your chances of ovulation resulting in pregnancy. If this does not increase your ovulation there are other methods out there as well to provide you the ability to begin ovulation and try for pregnancy.

PCOS doesn't mean that you will never be able to have children. There are many PCOS treatments today that can improve your fertility so that you can have a child of your own.