PCOS and pregnancy

[LaTiNaFLaVa]

Hi all,

I found out about 18 months ago that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and I was wondering how this affects fertility?

The thing is, I've been trying for a baby for about 6 months, and although my specialist said that conceiving wouldn't be a problem, it seems as though it will be.

I tried going back to speak to him about this, and he basically said what he did the first time around, that your fertility isn't affected by PCOS, not to worry, keep trying, and to go back in a year if nothing happens.

However, my doctor told me that it sometimes can affect your chances of getting pregnant, in some cases it's only a little, in more extreme cases it can cause you to be infertile.

So how do I go about finding out which is right? Are there any tests you can have done to check your fertility? Has anybody else have this problem, and if so, how did you overcome it?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Many thanks in advance xx

[smudge]

I can't help with any medical issues, but my friend's sister had an ovary removed due to POS. She was in her late teen's at the time, but went on to marry & have three children who were all conceived naturally. I would tend to listen to the 'specialist'. Good luck.

[Jules001]

I've got PCO's and I was definately told at the hospital that it can affect fertility - not a problem for me as I have completed my family, but I am sure that you can be given something to increase your fertility I am not sure, but I think it may be a drug given to control diabetes called Metformin. I am on this to try to control my weight which is another side effect of PCO's and I am pretty sure they mentioned about the fertility side of it. Do a google as I am sure you will find plenty of other advice about the condition - good luck

[blueeyedlass]

six months isnt really that long to be trying for you to worry lots of people who dont have pcos can take alot longer than that to concieve.so i wouldnt worry to much and just put in plenty of trying. good luck and im sure it will happen for you. x

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your doctor or a healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on, or wait for, advice from Answerbank users.

[atkrhome]

Take a look here

http://messageboards.ivillage.co.uk/iv-ukhlhealth

The 4th folder down is dedicated to pcos

[obangelnurse]

i have pcos and was diagnosed at age 15...i am also an ob/gyn nurse.  I have had one previous pregnancy acheived spontaneously (no medications needed) while pcos doesn't always cause difficulty conceiving it is associated with a higher incidence of first trimester miscarriages.  My pregnancy ended in a missed abortion (miscarriage without symptoms or bleeding, discovered on Ultrasound) at 11 weeks.  I have been seeing an endocrinologist who did a panel of blood tests to confirm the diagnosis (FSH, testosterone, free insulin, HGB A1C, Prolactin, LH etc. )and I have begun treatment with Metformin Hcl (Glucophage).  If you do a google search for PCOS and pregnancy there are many websites with articles about Metformin and PCOS.  It has been discovered to regulate menstrual cycles and ovulation as well as decrease the risk of first trimester miscarriages.  Good luck trying to conceive.