What is PCOS / Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

What is PCOS? What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? What does PCOS mean?

What is PCOS

According to Mayo Clinic, PCOS which is the abbreviation for Polycystic Ovary / Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age (between the ages of 15-44). Women with PCOS usually have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. At times the ovaries may also develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) or cysts and fail to regularly release eggs (ovulate).

Healthline explains that PCOS is a “syndrome,” or a group of symptoms that affects the ovaries and ovulation. Its three main features are:

·        cysts in the ovaries

·       high levels of male hormones

·        irregular or skipped periods

According to statistics on Healthline, between 2.2 and 26.7 percent of women between ages of 15-44) have PCOS. Another important point with noting is that up to 70% of women don’t even know that they have PCOS because they haven’t been diagnosed!

One of the sad effects of PCOS is that it has the potential to affect your fertility or ability to have a child. The frequency of infertility in women with PCOS varies between 70 and 80%. 

PCOS and Fertility Statistics

Some women only realize that they have PCOS and are diagnosed as such when seeking help in conceiving a child. THE GOOD NEWS IS you can still fall pregnant with PCOS!

Many women have been able to conceive with PCOS and I AM ONE OF THESE. You can read my story here. 

Doctors are able to suggest and prescribe various treatment methods or methods of facilitating conception and successful pregnancy in PCOS.

Manage PCOS 

Clomiphene (which forces ovulation) or Metformin (which lowers insulin and blood sugar levels in women with PCOS) are usually the first treatments recommended for women with PCOS. If these are not successful, you may be offered injections or IVF treatment. As can be expected these treatments (especially IVF and the like) can be extremely expensive. For parents who do not have large amounts of money lying around this can be very disheartening. Some women have spent large amounts of money on fertility treatment in order to fulfil their dreams of becoming parents. 

Fortunately there are tons of women with PCOS who have managed to conceive NATURALLY and this is what this site is all about!

I am very excited to provide you with information, personal experiences and support surrounding treating PCOS and Improving Fertility Naturally.