Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a disease that affects many women of menstruating age. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, PCOS not only affects the ovaries but the adrenal glands as well. PCOS can make becoming pregnant a challenge and is a common cause of infertility. However, women with PCOS who want to get pregnant may still be able to do so if they see a physician or fertility specialist.
Step 1
Often one of the first steps to getting pregnant for a woman with PCOS is to make lifestyle changes. PCOS can cause weight problems for many women, which can not only decrease their ability to get pregnant, but can lead to other problems that might complicate a pregnancy. These include diabetes and hypertension. Women with PCOS who want to get pregnant are advised talk to their doctors about weight loss. Making dietary changes and increasing physical activity can make a significant difference. The Mayo Clinic reports that these changes may help to restore ovulation to normal, making it easier for a woman with PCOS to get pregnant. In addition, they may help a woman avoid diabetes, increasing her chance of having a healthy pregnancy.
Step 2
A woman with PCOS may already be diabetic (or borderline diabetic) due to complications of the disease. This does not mean, however, that she cannot still have a healthy pregnancy; it simply means her pregnancy may be monitored more than the average woman's. The American Pregnancy Association reports that if possible, a woman with diabetes (or high glucose blood levels that could cause diabetes) caused by PCOS should begin taking diabetic medications to regulate her blood sugar. This can not only help to restore ovulation, but can help her maintain a healthier weight both before and during her pregnancy.
Step 3
Fertility treatments, such as medications designed to induce ovulation or to maintain a healthy environment in the uterus, can help a woman have a healthy pregnancy after PCOS. Even after lifestyle changes or the use of diabetic medications, a woman with PCOS may still have irregular ovulation. In this case, medications that induce ovulation may be necessary. If this does not work, the Mayo Clinic reports that some women may require surgical intervention, such as a laparoscopy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, however, women with PCOS have a higher than average risk of miscarriage. Because of this, they should be closely monitored during the early stages of pregnancy, even if they have used fertility treatments to become pregnant.
Step 4
Once a woman with PCOS is pregnant and through the first trimester, she should be monitored for other complications of pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association reports that women with PCOS are more likely than the average woman to develop gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension, both of which can increase pregnancy risks. Careful monitoring of blood glucose levels and blood pressure can increase the odds of a woman with PCOS having a healthy pregnancy.
Things You'll Need
- Diabetes medications, if necessary
- Fertility treatment
- Blood sugar testing
- Blood pressure testing
