CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal and metabolic condition among women. Because of irregular periods, hormonal changes and difficulty with ovulation, some women may take comparatively longer to conceive. However, it is not correct to treat PCOS as synonymous with infertility. With proper tests and treatment, a large number of women can conceive successfully.
Why can PCOS make conception difficult? The biggest issue in PCOS may be irregular or infrequent ovulation. If an egg is not released every month, the chances of conception may decrease. In addition, weight gain, insulin-related problems and other hormonal changes can also affect reproductive health. Some risks during pregnancy may also increase in women with PCOS, so a review of health and metabolic status before conception is considered important.
When should fertility testing be done if a woman has PCOS? Not every woman needs immediate fertility tests because of PCOS. In general, for a woman below 35 years of age, fertility evaluation is started if pregnancy does not occur after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse. At the age of 35 years or above, such testing is advised after 6 months. For women above 40 years of age, it may be appropriate to consult a specialist even earlier. However, if periods are very irregular along with PCOS, or if a doctor already suspects a condition that may affect fertility, it is not necessary to wait 6 or 12 months. In such a situation, the doctor may begin fertility evaluation earlier.
Treatment can increase the chances of conception. If tests show ovulation problems due to PCOS and there is no other infertility factor, doctors may use medicines to improve ovulation. According to international PCOS guidelines, letrozole is the first-line pharmacological treatment in such cases. The choice of treatment is based on the woman’s age, health, ovulation, weight, other reproductive factors and the partner’s evaluation.
Testing only the woman is not enough. When there is a fertility problem, it is not correct to hold only the woman responsible. Assessing the male partner’s reproductive capacity is also important in the evaluation. Expert guidelines advise testing while keeping in mind possible factors related to both the man and the woman.
Therefore, after being diagnosed with PCOS, instead of panicking, it is better to seek personalised advice from a gynaecologist or fertility specialist. Having PCOS does not mean that becoming a mother is impossible, but if periods remain irregular for a long time or there is difficulty in conceiving, timely medical evaluation is important.
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