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uterus showing ovaries

PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women, impacting 1:10 women both in the US and the UK. If you are struggling to get pregnant and have irregular or lengthy cycles, then you may have PCOS. Luckily, there are ways to overcome this condition and get pregnant quickly.

In this guide, we will discuss the best methods for getting pregnant with PCOS. We will also provide tips for improving your overall health and fertility. So, if you are ready to start a family, then read on!

What is PCOS and how does it impact your ability to conceive a child naturally?

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a hormonal disorder that can affect a woman's ability to ovulate (release eggs from her ovaries). PCOS can also cause enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. PCOS affects approximately one in every ten women of childbearing age.

Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome also have a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body to use glucose (sugar) for energy. In women with PCOS, the body does not use insulin as efficiently as it should.

Insulin resistance can lead to high levels of insulin in the blood. Insulin resistance can increase the risk for type II diabetes, gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy), cardiac disease and weight gain as well as disrupting your hormonal balance.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

The most common symptom of PCOS is irregular or absent periods. This means that you might have long and lengthy cycles. Other symptoms of PCOS include:

  • weight gain
  • acne
  • excess bodily hair
  • thinning of hair on the scalp
  • fatigue
  • mood swings
  • trouble sleeping

Can you get pregnant naturally with PCOS?

The short answer is yes, the majority of women with PCOS don't require fertility treatments in which to conceive but you need to seek medical advice and get some help from your doctor.

How long does it take to get pregnant with PCOS?

This is a question that is often asked by women who have been diagnosed with PCOS. The answer to this question is not always straightforward, as there are many factors that can affect fertility in women with PCOS.

However, it is generally accepted that it may take longer for women with PCOS to conceive than women without the condition.

How to get pregnant with PCOS quickly?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how to get pregnant with PCOS quickly. There are a variety of treatments available to women with PCOS who want to become pregnant.

Some women may need medication to induce ovulation, while others may be able to conceive naturally with lifestyle changes. However, there are certain things that women with PCOS can do to take back control and increase their chances of becoming pregnant. These include:

Do your research into PCOS:

The first step in getting pregnant with PCOS is to do your research. Understand what the condition is and how it can impact your fertility. This will help you make informed decisions about your treatment and lifestyle options.

Making healthy lifestyle changes:

vegetables for healthy diet

Making healthy lifestyle changes through changes in diet and exercise can help to improve the symptoms of PCOS and increase the chances of becoming pregnant. Eating a diet that is low in refined carbohydrates is the most important dietary change to make and helps to reduce Insulin resistance.

Foods that are low in carbohydrates include vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes. You can also find low-carbohydrate foods at your local grocery store. Try to eat wholegrains such as quinoa, buckwheat, and brown rice as opposed to white pasta, white bread, and white rice.

Also, eat plenty of lean protein such as chicken, fish, tofu, and eggs. This will help your body to regulate insulin levels. In addition, make sure to get plenty of healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil, and nuts. These will help to balance your hormones. Finally, drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks.

Maintaining a healthy weight:

woman stood on bathroom scales to check her weight

Weight loss and maintaining a normal body weight can help to improve PCOS symptoms, ovulation, insulin resistance and increase the chances of becoming pregnant. Losing just five to ten percent of your body weight can make a big difference in optimising both your PCOS and your fertility.

Exercise can help to manage weight, maintain normal blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance and improve ovulation. It is important to talk to a doctor before starting any exercise program to make sure that you are exercising in the right way for you.

However, it is generally recommended that 150 minutes of exercise per week is the right amount to help with weight loss. Exercise that you could consider is walking, swimming or cycling as well as muscle strengthening exercise such as pilates or yoga.

Stop smoking:

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your fertility. It decreases ovarian function and egg quality, and it increases the risk of miscarriage. While it may take some time, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health.

There are many resources available to help you quit smoking, so take advantage of them. Your doctor can also help you create a plan to quit smoking.

Cut down on alcohol:

Drinking alcohol may make it harder to get pregnant. If you’re trying to conceive, it’s best to cut down on your alcohol intake or abstain from drinking altogether.

Alcohol can cause weight gain and disrupt hormone levels, both of which can contribute to PCOS symptoms. If you do drink alcohol, try to stick to red wine, which may actually help improve your insulin sensitivity. Cutting out alcohol completely may improve your chances of getting pregnant with PCOS.

If you have trouble cutting down on your own, talk to your doctor about getting help from a professional. There are many programs available that can help you quit drinking.

Reduce stress:

Unfortunately, stress appears to go hand in hand with PCOS. Reducing stress can help to improve ovulation. There are many different ways to reduce stress. Some people find that yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help. Others find that regular exercise, journaling, or talking to a therapist can be helpful.

Make time for you:

One of the best things you can do when trying to conceive with PCOS is to make time for yourself. You can do this by reading, meditating, being with friends and family, spending time in nature, or doing whatever makes you feel calm and relaxed.

In addition to making time for yourself, it’s also important to make time for your partner. This can be difficult when you’re both working, but it’s important to nurture your relationship. Spend time talking, cuddling, and engaging in other forms of physical intimacy. This will not only help reduce stress, but it will also create a stronger bond between you and your partner—which can be helpful during the trying to conceive journey.

Take supplements:

There are a number of supplements that can be helpful in treating PCOS. Some of the most effective supplements for PCOS include inositol. Inositol supplements can help to regulate your hormones, improve your insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation.

Folic acid is an important supplement for women when you are trying to conceive. It helps to prevent neural tube birth defects and can also improve egg quality. Women with PCOS should take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin for women with PCOS and when trying to conceive. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. A lack of vitamin D can lead to a condition called osteoporosis, which can make it difficult for women with PCOS to conceive.

It is recommended that you take at least 400 IU (international units) or 10 micrograms per day of vitamin D per day in order to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. You can talk to your doctor about what dosage is right for you.

See a fertility specialist:

A fertility specialist is a healthcare provider who can help you to create a treatment plan that is tailored specifically for you. This may include medication, surgery, or IVF.

Your specialist will be able to help you to understand your chances of getting pregnant and will also be able to monitor your progress.

Taking fertility drugs:

Fertility drugs, such as the ovulation medications - clomiphene citrate or Letrozole, can help to stimulate ovulation in women with PCOS. These fertility drugs can used alone or in combination with fertility treatments.

Fertility Treatment:

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is a type of fertility treatment that involves making small incisions in the abdomen and destroying some of the tissue that is causing the ovaries to overproduce hormones. Ovarian drilling can help to normalize hormone levels and improve the chances of becoming pregnant as well as helping you to ovulate regularly.

Undergoing assisted reproductive technologies:

In some cases, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended for women with PCOS who are having difficulty conceiving.

IVF treatment can bypass many of the problems associated with PCOS, such as ovulation. In vitro fertilization is the process whereby eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory dish, and then the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. This type of assisted reproductive technology that can help women with PCOS become pregnant.

Track your cycles with PCOS:

If you have PCOS, one of the most important things you can do is to track your cycles. This will help you determine when you ovulate and make it easier to get pregnant.

ovusense chart tracking cycle and showing a short luteal phase

You can chart your body temperature, or keep track of changes in your cervical mucus to identify your fertile time.

If you have PCOS, you may not ovulate every month or ovulate late in the cycle with long cycles. But if you track your cycles and have sex during your fertile days, you’re more likely to conceive. Having sex every 2-3 days during your most fertile days and throughout your cycle is going to increase your chances of conceiving.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS and are hoping to become pregnant, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider about the best course of treatment. With the right treatment plan, you can increase your chances of becoming pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy.

What if I'm not successful in getting pregnant with PCOS after a few months or years of trying - is there still hope?

There is always hope but you might just need a little help in getting there. Whether that be lifestyle changes, tracking your cycles, help from your doctor or a combination of all 3!

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a way to get pregnant with PCOS quickly, making some simple lifestyle changes and tracking your cycles using OvuSense can help. These are the basic steps that you need to take to optimize your chances of conceiving. We hope that this article has been helpful and we wish you all the best on your journey to parenthood!

OvuSense is a medically certified and FDA-approved fertility monitor that has helped women with PCOS conceive for over 10 years. Using OvuSense when you have PCOS helps you to accurately identify your fertile window to pinpoint when you ovulate and is the only device that can both predict ovulation in advance and confirm with 99% accuracy that ovulation took place. Get started with OvuSense today to increase your chances of getting pregnant fast.