PCOS pregnancy rate: Why does PCOS cause fertility issues?

PCOS is a common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. According to studies, it’s one of the most common causes of anovulatory infertility that results from cycle and ovulation irregularity and hormonal imbalance.

Despite the fertility issues caused by this condition, the PCOS pregnancy rate is still similar to that in women without PCOS. That is, you can get pregnant with this condition, though it may take more time and require lifestyle interventions and medical treatment.

Other factors that impact PCOS pregnancy success rate include age, chronic health conditions, body mass index, and lifestyle.

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PCOS is a widespread hormonal condition that affects 6-13% of women in their reproductive years, though experts believe that up to 70% of cases still remain undiagnosed. This condition interrupts the normal work of the female ovaries, typically leading to irregular periods and a range of other unpleasant symptoms.

Due to its direct impact on the female reproductive system, PCOS is also frequently linked to fertility issues. Studies show that 90-95% of women who are treated for anovulatory infertility are also diagnosed with PCOS. And this might be one of the major issues that PCOS women are worried about.

The good news is that it’s still possible to conceive and have a child with this condition. In this article, we’ll delve into the link between PCOS and fertility and discuss the PCOS pregnancy rate to give you the reassurance and confidence you might be seeking.

Why Does PCOS Affect Fertility?

In order to fully understand the PCOS pregnancy success rate, it’s important to recognize why it causes fertility issues in the first place.

There are two direct effects of PCOS on fertility:

1. Cycle irregularity. One of the primary effects of PCOS on your body is cycle disruption. By affecting the ovaries, this condition often causes long cycles with irregular ovulation, which directly affects the chances of conception.
2. Hormonal imbalance. PCOS directly affects hormone production and often undermines the balance. In particular, it can affect progesterone levels, which might affect your body’s ability to sustain early pregnancy.

PCOS and Egg Quality

There is also a common belief that PCOS might affect egg quality. This could’ve been an additional obstacle on your way to conception. However, it’s not all that simple.

The link between PCOS and egg quality is still not fully understood. While the condition itself doesn’t directly impact egg quality, some of its accompanying issues might:

• Insulin resistance: One study revealed that PCOS women with insulin resistance and obesity tend to have a higher concentration of some free fatty acids not only in their blood, but in the follicular fluid as well. This could negatively affect egg quality.
• High androgens: According to another study, an increased level of androgens (male hormones) in women with PCOS can also impair egg development.

While both studies show the potential, indirect link between PCOS and egg quality, there is not enough evidence to claim that this link is real. The issues with egg quality are mainly linked to other health issues, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and others. On the other hand, women with lean PCOS might not have an impact on egg health.

Is It Possible to Get Pregnant WIth PCOS?

Although PCOS can create conception challenges, the good news is that you can still have a baby with this condition. PCOS-related infertility is mainly linked with hormonal imbalance and irregular menstrual cycle. This can make your conception journey a bit more complicated and twisted. However, today, it’s possible to treat these causes and ensure a successful pregnancy.

PCOS Pregnancy Rate

Despite the obvious fertility obstacles, the PCOS pregnancy success rate is fairly high. A 2019 population-based study found a very similar cumulative probability of childbirth in women with PCOS (80.2%) and women without PCOS (78.2%). These numbers show a high probability of conceiving and giving birth with PCOS, though the rate of first childbirth that results from a spontaneous pregnancy was higher than that for the second childbirth.

PCOS Pregnancy Rate Without Treatment

Is it possible to get pregnant without treatment? While the overall PCOS pregnancy rate is fairly high, it’s hard to ignore the fertility issues caused by this condition. If untreated, an irregular ovulation caused by PCOS can result in more cycles needed to get pregnant naturally. Furthermore, an untreated hormonal imbalance can increase the risks of early pregnancy loss.

So, the answer to the aforementioned question is “yes.” It’s still possible to conceive without treating PCOS. However, it might take much longer and create unnecessary risks.

Proper treatment, on the other hand, can significantly improve the outcomes. What’s more, the type of treatment you get can also affect pregnancy success. According to studies, letrozole treatment has shown a significantly higher ovulation, clinical pregnancy, and live-birth rate compared to clomiphene citrate.

Key Factors Affecting PCOS Pregnancy Success Rate

So, PCOS can cause fertility issues. But that’s not an axiom. According to experts, the prevalence of infertility in women with this condition is somewhere between 70% and 80%. That is, not every PCOS woman might face issues when trying to conceive. Whether you do or not depends a lot on how this condition manifests in your body. For example, whether you have insulin resistance or rather a lean PCOS, or whether you have anovulatory cycles or not.

Apart from the condition itself and whether you treat it or not, there are several other factors that can also affect PCOS pregnancy success rate:

• Age. The female ovarian reserve naturally depletes with age, and the quality of eggs drops. Besides, the overall health condition tends to decline. That’s why experts believe that the best age to get pregnant with PCOS is between 20s to mid-thirties.
• Existing chronic health conditions. A number of chronic conditions, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and others, can hinder female fertility. Combined with PCOS, they can make it harder to get pregnant.
• Body mass index. Multiple studies are linking a high body mass index to fertility problems in women. Since women with PCOS are often prone to gaining excess weight, this is another big factor.
• Lifestyle. Pretty much all lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, stress, sleep, and others, can affect your hormonal balance and ovulation. That’s why lifestyle intervention is an important part of fertility treatment.

How to Increase PCOS Pregnancy Chances

A fairly high PCOS pregnancy rate should provide you with some reassurance and comfort in terms of your conception chances. Yet, it’s important to mind the associated challenges and possible risks, to plan your pregnancy wisely and boost success chances.

To do everything right, it’s recommended to talk to your healthcare provider about planning a baby. A specialist will analyze your health condition and lifestyle to create a personalized plan for easier conception. In most cases, a specialist will recommend the following interventions to increase pregnancy chances:

• Lifestyle adjustment
• Weight loss
• Adjusted PCOS treatment
• Proper supplementation

These interventions have been shown to offer good outcomes in terms of pregnancy with PCOS. If they don’t bring the desired result after 6 months or a year of trying, your healthcare provider might also suggest infertility treatment.

In any case, it’s important that you stay patient and follow the recommendations of your doctor. Getting pregnant with PCOS might not always be easy. But it’s definitely possible.

FAQ

What is the success rate of pregnancy with PCOS?

Although PCOS can cause significant challenges in terms of conception, such as irregular ovulation and hormonal imbalance, the PCOS pregnancy rate is still very similar to that in women without this condition. Yet, it’s important to remember that multiple factors can affect success, including whether you receive PCOS treatment (and the type of treatment you get), your age, overall health condition, lifestyle, and body mass index. 

Does losing weight improve PCOS pregnancy success rate?

Yes, it does. Weight loss is one of the first interventions doctors recommend to women with PCOS who are trying to conceive. According to studies, just a 5% weight reduction can help restore fertility. This is mainly because excess weight in PCOS is closely linked to other chronic conditions, such as insulin sensitivity and diabetes, which can also get in the way of having a baby.

What are the risks associated with getting pregnant with PCOS?

PCOS can potentially make women more prone to certain pregnancy complications and risks, including miscarriage, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and others. It’s important to be aware of the possible risks when planning your pregnancy in order to be able to mitigate them.

What is the PCOS pregnancy miscarriage rate?

Early pregnancy loss is among the biggest pregnancy risks associated with PCOS. According to studies, the PCOS pregnancy miscarriage rate is between 30% and 50%, in contrast to 10-15% in women without this condition. This is often related to altered progesterone levels. However, it’s important to remember that open communication with your healthcare provider and careful adherence to personalized treatment guidelines can significantly reduce the risks.

Conclusion

PCOS is a common condition that brings many unpleasant symptoms. And it’s also one of the most common infertility causes due to ovulation irregularity and hormonal imbalance.

Luckily, as you now know, being diagnosed with PCOS doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t conceive and give birth. On the contrary, studies show positive statistics in terms of PCOS pregnancies. Still, it’s important to remember that the PCOS pregnancy rate without treatment and lifestyle interventions is much lower compared to that in women who undergo proper treatment. So, if you’re planning a pregnancy, working with your healthcare provider can help a lot!

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