Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Infertility
One of the largest causes of infertility is Polycystic Ovarian syndrome. It is major reason for infertility problems in women. Researchers believe it’s due to excessive insulin production, women’s bodies respond by increasing production levels of male hormones or androgens. The women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome become insulin resistant that develops into diabetes in most patients.
In a women’s normal menstrual cycle, a number of follicles grow within the ovaries. Each of the follicles contains an egg and the menstrual cycle revolves, only one follicle and one egg will remain during ovulation. Then after the egg has matured, the LH levels will rise substantially causing the egg to erupt from the follicle, this event causes ovulation. The women with PCOS do not naturally produce enough female hormones to complete the ovulation. The follicles do not reach maturity to become eggs. The follicles may develop into a cyst (s). They look like a string of pearls on ultra sound inside the ovaries; these are the follicles that have not fully developed. Some small cyst may grow on the outside of the ovaries. When ovulation does not happen, progesterone is not created, when this occurs the lining of the uterus begins to thicken, in most cases.
PCOS, the first noticeable symptom may be the absence or an irregular menstrual cycle. As woman grow older, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can become worse. Typically a woman may ovulate irregularly or not at all. About 5 to 10 percent of the women, within their childbearing years will Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Most women are unaware that they have developed PCOS. The fact is less than 25 percent of women with PCOS have not been diagnosed. Some women are fortunate enough in conceiving while having an irregularity in their ovulation cycle. Symptoms may include increased of hair growth on their face, acne, thinning hair, obesity, a significant rise of insulin levels associated with type II diabetes or pelvic pain. The symptoms and conditions for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can vary greatly with each woman. The only symptom may be an irregular period.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can affect a woman’s ability to be impregnated due to the lack of a normal ovulation cycle. But, there are steps that can be taken to correct the problem and producing a positive outcome. A woman may simply change her diet and activity to lose weight, to treat their PCOS.
Weight loss may improve hormonal imbalances to increase the possibility to conceive. Sometimes medications are used like the drug Metformin it will enhances the body’s ability to absorb insulin effectively. It can be taken by women who do not have diabetes and it is safe. Metformin affects only the insulin levels and will not directly lower blood sugar. Clomid is another medication used for the treatment of infertility associated to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome . Clomid actually blocks estrogen receptors in the brain; it signals the brain to think there are low estrogen levels the result of lower estrogen levels will trigger the body to increase production of FSH and LH which signals and produces ovulation in the women’s body. Clomid medication brings about ovulation, but only 30 to 40 percent of the women who ovulate from Clomid will actually become impregnated. Other options of women with PCOS, the treatment techniques and procedures of In vitro Maturation or In vitro Fertilization.
In vitro Maturation (IVM) is a procedure where young eggs are harvested early in the woman’s ovulation cycle. The eggs actually mature in a laboratory and can be used later for fertilization. In vitro Maturation is used for women who are not successful with medication treatments.
In vitro fertilization. (IVF) the eggs are harvested after they are mature. The eggs are then fertilized and placed inside the woman’s uterus. In vitro Fertilization treatments will include medications that help the eggs develop from implantation.
