Pcos And Infertility
- Date: 2009-10-07 - Word Count: 547
Share This!
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is one of the main reasons for infertility problems among women. They say that excessive insulin production in some women makes their bodies respond by producing high levels of male hormones or androgens. Some women with PCOS are insulin resistant and this can lead to diabetes.
In a women's normal menstrual cycle, a couple of follicles develop within the ovaries, each containing an egg. As the menstrual cycle progresses, only one follicle will remain and this will produce the egg during ovulation. After the egg has matured, LH levels will surge and this will cause the egg to burst. The egg bursting from the follicle causes the ovulation. Women with PCOS do not normally produce enough female hormones needed for ovulation so the follicles do not mature to become the actual eggs. Some follicles may even develop into cysts.
PCOS can be seen in an ultra sound as a "string of pearls" within the ovary. The "string of pearls" represents the follicles that have not developed. At this point, the ovaries will typically have several small cysts covering the outside, and because ovulation does not take place, progesterone is not produced that cause the lining of the uterus to thicken.
Some Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome symptoms include an irregular period or an absence itself. The older the woman is, the higher the propabality for PCOS to happen and some women may also ovulate irregularly as well or not at all. Five to ten percent of women within the childbearing age show PCOS but most of them are unaware. Only less than twenty-five percent of women with PCOS have been diagnosed and some of them are lucky enough to conceive even though they have an irregular ovulation cycle. Symptoms for PCOS vary from woman to woman and these include increased hair growth on the back, chest or face, thinning hair, obesity, high insulin levels or Type 2 diabetes, acne or pelvic pain among others.
PCOS affects women's ability to conceive due to the lack of ovulation. But there are steps that can be taken to counteract this. Some women can address PCOS thru weight loss which can also help to improve hormone imbalances. Metformin, a drug that improves insulin absorption, is considered safe to use on women who do not have diabetes. It affects insulin levels and does not directly lower blood sugar. Clomid or other fertility drugs are also used in PCOS-related infertility treatment. It blocks estrogen receptors in the brain so that the brain will register a low estrogen level. This triggers the body to produce more FSH and LH which then signals ovulation. Clomid is often successful for ovulation purposes but only thirty to forty percent of the women ovulated from Clomid will actually become pregnant.
In Vitro Maturation (IVM) and In Vitro fertilization (IVF) are also options for PCOS cases. In Vitro Maturation involves immature eggs being harvested early in a woman's cycle. These are matured in a laboratory then used for fertilization. In the case of In Vitro Fertilization, the eggs are harvested after they are already mature. They are then fertilized before implanted in a woman's uterus. IVF treatments also include medications that help the eggs develop. IVM is helpful for women who do not respond to drug therapy.
In a women's normal menstrual cycle, a couple of follicles develop within the ovaries, each containing an egg. As the menstrual cycle progresses, only one follicle will remain and this will produce the egg during ovulation. After the egg has matured, LH levels will surge and this will cause the egg to burst. The egg bursting from the follicle causes the ovulation. Women with PCOS do not normally produce enough female hormones needed for ovulation so the follicles do not mature to become the actual eggs. Some follicles may even develop into cysts.
PCOS can be seen in an ultra sound as a "string of pearls" within the ovary. The "string of pearls" represents the follicles that have not developed. At this point, the ovaries will typically have several small cysts covering the outside, and because ovulation does not take place, progesterone is not produced that cause the lining of the uterus to thicken.
Some Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome symptoms include an irregular period or an absence itself. The older the woman is, the higher the propabality for PCOS to happen and some women may also ovulate irregularly as well or not at all. Five to ten percent of women within the childbearing age show PCOS but most of them are unaware. Only less than twenty-five percent of women with PCOS have been diagnosed and some of them are lucky enough to conceive even though they have an irregular ovulation cycle. Symptoms for PCOS vary from woman to woman and these include increased hair growth on the back, chest or face, thinning hair, obesity, high insulin levels or Type 2 diabetes, acne or pelvic pain among others.
PCOS affects women's ability to conceive due to the lack of ovulation. But there are steps that can be taken to counteract this. Some women can address PCOS thru weight loss which can also help to improve hormone imbalances. Metformin, a drug that improves insulin absorption, is considered safe to use on women who do not have diabetes. It affects insulin levels and does not directly lower blood sugar. Clomid or other fertility drugs are also used in PCOS-related infertility treatment. It blocks estrogen receptors in the brain so that the brain will register a low estrogen level. This triggers the body to produce more FSH and LH which then signals ovulation. Clomid is often successful for ovulation purposes but only thirty to forty percent of the women ovulated from Clomid will actually become pregnant.
In Vitro Maturation (IVM) and In Vitro fertilization (IVF) are also options for PCOS cases. In Vitro Maturation involves immature eggs being harvested early in a woman's cycle. These are matured in a laboratory then used for fertilization. In the case of In Vitro Fertilization, the eggs are harvested after they are already mature. They are then fertilized before implanted in a woman's uterus. IVF treatments also include medications that help the eggs develop. IVM is helpful for women who do not respond to drug therapy.
Related Tags: infertility, pcos and infertility
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Tips For Healthy Pregnancy
For a healthy new baby, healthy pregnancy is a must. Every woman has a desire for a healthy pregnanc - How To Make Your Pregnancy Healthy And Comfortable
Healthy pregnancy is the first and for most thing which the every mother desire for. This could only - Morning Sickness Remedy - 3 Methods That Will Have You Feeling Better Instantly
For most women, morning sickness will be the most unpleasant time during pregnancy. Over seventy per - Morning Sickness Symptoms - 3 Signs That Morning Sickness Has Begun
Morning sickness is a normal part of pregnancy for most women. 7 of every 10 women will go through m - Morning Sickness Cures - Survive Morning Sickness With 5 Proven Remedies
In the first phase of pregnancy, your body goes through rapid hormonal changes that will prepare you - Ginger For Morning Sickness - 3 Ways To Utilize Ginger For Fast Morning Sickness Relief
Ginger is a potent herb, native to Asia that has various healing powers, one of which is eliminating - End Morning Sickness - Get Rid Of Morning Sickness With 3 Easy Remedies
Morning sickness impacts four out of every five women. The symptoms and severity of morning sickness - The Best Vitamins And Minerals In Increasing Fertility
There are many natural treatments that can help improve the fertility of a couple. These natural tre - Safe Exercises During Pregnancy-how To Safely Exercise During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is such a wonderful time in a woman's life. Having a little life growing inside you is suc - Getting Tubes Untied: Pregnant After Tubal Ligation
Most people have heard to term getting your "tubed tied". This refers to the procedure called tubal
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Do You Have Any Doubts About Pregnancy Tests?
Read this and all doubts about pregnancy and pregnancy tests will be cleared.The fertilized egg plan - Pregnancy Advice
The 10 Things You Should Do when you are pregnant, these are not the hardcore scientific stuff, just - Choosing the Sex of your Baby - the Moral Question
Some people oppose gender selection calling it an attempt at playing God. They believe that nature m - Deciphering The Fertility Calendar
If you are one of the many couples around the world that are trying to conceive, I'm sure you've see - Getting Rid Of Stretchmarks
Getting rid of stretchmarks can be a difficult thing to do. They're ugly and make days at the beach - Fun and Unique Baby Shower Decorating Ideas
Baby showers are a great way of announcing to the world that you are going to be a new mother. Since - How To Plan a Baby Shower on a Budget
So you're throwing a baby shower, and have no idea what you need or where to go to plan your baby s - How To Start Labor: What Works?
Overdue pregnancy can be physically and mentally challenging. If you have difficulties in sleeping, - 37 Weeks Pregnant - It's Nearly Time To Give Birth
37 weeks pregnant and you're almost to your due date. In most cases you've reached the point that if - Holiday Season and Baby Showers - Should You Have Them?
People often wonder whether they should hold a baby shower during the hustle and bustle of the holid