The process of reproduction starts with the sperm fusing with the egg and making the single celled zygote . The zygote then starts to grow inside the womb. Fertility is the capability to be pregnant and conceive a biological child. It’s not seen as a matter of concern until an issue occurs while trying to be pregnant. Fertility issues don't see gender and that is why it’s absolutely wrong to put all the blame on the women without consulting a doctor and knowing the actual cause. There are hundreds of factors contributing to infertility issues.Now, talking about PCOS , it is one of the most rapidly growing cause of pregnancy issues among women , and if left untreated for a longer period of time, it can be the reason for infertility. Here are some reasons behind it:
- Irregular ovulation or anovulation : PCOS patients are likely to have an irregular ovulation cycle. If women do not ovulate regularly, they are supposedly more at risk of pregnancy issues . It is compulsory for the egg to release in order to get pregnant, but not having a proper ovulation cycle makes it quite difficult to conceive.
- Hormonal imbalance: PCOS patients are generally observed to have an imbalance in their hormones. Ovaries contain many immature eggs that mature with the help of FSH, but PCOS patients might have a lower level of this hormone resulting in the immature eggs not becoming matured and released from the ovary . Also, the higher levels of insulin due to insulin resistance along with the raised level Luteinizing hormone cause excessive production of the male hormones known as androgen.
- Overweight: Generally, the patients suffering from PCOS are prone to weight gain and it’s very difficult to lose weight . Insulin resistant can lead to excessive weight gain, which can further become an obstacle in a healthy pregnancy.
What can be done?
Now it's normal to assume that PCOS patients cannot conceive, but that is not the case. Myths and misconceptions can only worsen the scenario. A women suffering from PCOS still has high chances of conceiving naturally with the help of doctor's guidance, lifestyle changes and some oral medications or injections. It's easier to conceive with a controlled PCOS, so it's advised to not ignore the signs and symptoms and consult to the doctor as soon as possible. This can result in pregnancy with fewer risks.