Understanding PCOS and Infertility Issues
PCOS—an acronym for polycystic ovarian syndrome—is one of the leading causes of infertility. PCOS and infertility issues are a well-known phenomenon and the most common reason that women discover that they have this condition. There are other effects upon the body associated with this condition, however, and some of them are readily apparent.
This condition can be very difficult to treat though it is readily-detectable. Some of the signs of this syndrome manifest right from the beginning of puberty and the symptoms of this disorder merit immediate investigation and, if possible, treatment.
PCOS and infertility issues are somewhat predictable. In a woman affected with this disorder, there are certain tell-tale symptoms that may manifest long before the woman wishes to have a child. This disorder is associated with an increase in testosterone levels in the blood.
This may result in excessive body hair development in women. This symptom, aside from being psychologically distressing, provides a good reason for women to visit the doctor to get checked for this condition. There are risks with this disease that have far more dangerous impacts than infertility and symptoms such as the above should not be ignored.
PCOS and infertility issues are indicated by the irregularity of affected woman’s menstrual cycles. Some women may suffer very irregular menstrual cycles and some women may have no menstrual cycle at all. Either case merits immediate medical attention.
Though the condition may not be immediately life-threatening, any absence of or persistent irregularity of a menstrual cycle is always cause for concern. Particularly in women who are trying to conceive, this is a harbinger of difficulties to come and the sooner treatment is started the better one’s chances of conceiving successfully.
In a woman affected by this disease, the eggs to not mature properly and there are physical deformities in the ovaries. Hence the connection between PCOS and infertility problems. The ovaries are host to small cysts—these are properly termed antral follicles—which are visible on most scans.
These cysts will show up on an ultrasound, in most cases, which is the method by which many women discover that they have this condition. The cysts are generally between 2 and 9 millimeters in diameter. The ovaries generally have several of these structures attached to them. About 8 to 10 percent of women of childbearing age are affected by this condition.
There are various drug treatments available for PCOS and infertility issues. IVF may also be considered as a way to achieve a successful pregnancy. Many of the drug treatments will make menstruation regular and will increase the chances of the woman successfully conceiving.
IVF offers a rate of about 60% live births when used as a means of treating PCOS. This condition is also related to increased risk of stroke and heart attack in affected women. For that reason, whether or not one is trying to conceive, this condition should be checked for and monitored if the common symptoms manifest
.
