Home > Problems & Solutions > Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
What is Anovulation?

An estimated 10 % of women of childbearing age have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), making PCOS a leading cause of infertility. PCOS is a complex issue and no one knows its exact cause. In infertility cases, women with PCOS may produce too much insulin, which in turn causes the ovaries to over-produce male hormones called androgens. This can lead to a number of symptoms, including excessive hair growth, weight gain, and ovulation issues and infertility.

Frequently, women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have problems with their menstrual cycle and issues with ovulation (or anovulation). In women with PCOS, the ovaries do not produce sufficient hormones and the egg or ovum may not mature. In PCOS, developing ova may remain as cysts (or appear cyst-like). In such cases, ovulation does not take place and the reproductive hormones are thrown out of balance, specifically progesterone. Without hormonal balance and progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle may be irregular or absent. As noted above, the ovaries (or ovarian cysts) can produce male hormones called androgens.

Symptoms of PCOS include infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding, infertility or inability to get pregnant because of a failure to ovulate, increased growth of hair on the face, chest, or stomach, weight gain or obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

For trying-to-conceive women, treatments of PCOS include fertility medications: Clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate the ovary to ovulate. Natural fertility supplements, such as FertilAid for Women, are popular with PCOS sufferers as well.

What is Anovulation and Amenorrhea?

Anovulation is indicated when a woman does not ovulate, or release an egg, during her menstrual cycle. Anovulation may occur in women with PCOS, as well as women with other infertility issues. For some women with infertility symptoms, the ovaries/follicles do not develop properly, the egg does not mature, and ovulation may not take place every cycle, may take place sporadically, or in some cases, ovulation may not take place at all.

Who who experience anovulation women may never ovulate without the help of fertility drugs. Also, women may also experience amenorrhea, or have no menstrual periods for months or even years at a time.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a very common cause of anovulation and infertility. When it is suspected, additional testing may be indicated. In cases of anovulation or PCOS, clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate ovulation.

Back to Infertility and Fertility Medications

Read More:

Comments

Hi, want some advice.
I am overweight but currently losing it as i am doing Slimming World and have lost 16lbs so far. I was on the contraceptive injection for 4 years and came off it in January 2008. My periods became regular again in Januray 2009. I have had high blood pressure since Sept 2004 and take medication for this, however it has come down since I have begun to lose weight. I do feel I have excess body hair although it is barely noticeable due to my hair colouring - however I know it is there and makes me feel uncomfortable. What are the chances that I have PCOS?

Report abuse
Worried - Jul 18, 2009
Was this comment helpful?

Dear,
I want to know what kind of tablets should I have to take for pcos? and did glogophage is the answer and for how long should i take?

Report abuse
maithaa - Jul 11, 2009
Was this comment helpful?

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
top
First Day of Last Period:
Cycle Length:
top
Luteal Phase Length:
top
Ovulation:
Due Date:
Fetal Age:

Note that you are most likely to get pregnant if you time your lovemaking to occur on the days right before - and on - your ovulation date. Keep in mind that the projected ovulation date above is simply a “best guess” estimate based on your cycle date information. The most accurate way to pinpoint your most fertile time is through the use of urine-based ovulation tests or with a fertility monitor. We have partnered with Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com, the Internet’s leading supplier of preconception products since 2001, to offer low-cost, FDA-approved pregnancy and ovulation tests – with free same-day shipping.

 

Now that you’ve calculated your ovulation date using our ovulation calculator, we have a number of other helpful tools you can use to help increase your chances of conceiving.

 

  • Create your own personalized ovulation calendar! You can even provide an email address so that you receive email alerts of your most fertile days, when you can begin testing for pregnancy, and more.
     

  • Create your own personalized fertility chart! This is a highly accurate way to pinpoint your ovulation date that relies primarily on basal temperature charting. (Visit Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com for an accurate, inexpensive basal thermometer.)
     

  • Connect with others at our online community! If you have questions about trying-to-conceive – or if you just want to vent a bit – we have a wonderful, vibrant community of people who’d just love to hear from you.

Find your most fertile time.
top