PCOS and Endometriosis & Infertility? Science Has the Answers!
PCOS and endometriosis create hurdles in the path to pregnancy for many couples, leaving them in a helpless and puzzled state. But there's good news on the horizon! Though these conditions may go against your reproductive plans, they don't need to dictate your future. Owing to great strides in medical science, many solutions to infertility are now present to combat these very issues.
PCOS and Endometriosis: Beyond the Symptoms
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders among reproductive-age women. Approximately 10% of women in India suffer from this condition. The main manifestations of PCOS are hormonal imbalance leading to irregular menses and, in many cases, difficulty in conception. Pregnancy and PCOS have a metabolic and multifaceted association; however, understanding the disorder paves the way for effective management. The disorder interferes with your normal ovulation cycle, which is necessary for spontaneous conception.
Medically Reviewed by:
Dr. Shreshtha Sagar Tanwar
Senior Consultant, ART Fertility Clinics India
Scientific Methods to PCOS Treatment
Current PCOS treatment methods:
1. Lifestyle Changes: Studies have found that losing 5-10% of body weight remarkably improves ovulation in females with PCOS. Exercise regularly and eat a low-refined carbohydrate diet to improve insulin levels, which tend to be involved in PCOS.
2. Medication: Ovulation can be triggered by fertility medications, and some medicines are available to improve insulin resistance, androgen imbalance, and overall hormonal imbalance.
Endometriosis: The Silent Fertility Thief
Endometriosis is said to be present in about 12% of women of reproductive age in India. This condition occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation, scarring, and alterations in the normal reproductive system functioning.
Managing Endometriosis for Improved Fertility
Endometriosis surgery: Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis implants has significantly improved pregnancy rates. Results of studies have found that it increases pregnancy rates by 30 – 80% after the operation, depending on how severe the level of endometriosis is, its stages, the patient’s age, and related particulars.
Hormonal Treatment: They suppress menstruation and are effective in relieving symptoms.
Endometriosis Diet: Anti-inflammatory foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids, bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, and rich fibre foods significantly help ameliorate symptoms. The general precept of the endometriosis diet is avoiding red meat, trans fats, and alcohol since all of these worsen the inflammatory condition.
When Both PCOS and Endometriosis Coexist
Some women suffer from both conditions at the same time. The diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can also add to the complexity of treatment with endometriosis, but it does not make conception entirely impossible.
Advanced Infertility Solutions
- Ovulation induction with timed intercourse
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- IVF or in-vitro fertilisation has the best overall success rates, as noted with women with moderate to severe endometriosis or PCOS who have not conceived with other treatment options.
- Egg freezing can be an option for women not yet ready to conceive. They can preserve their eggs for future use.
Conclusion
You must not be deterred from the goal of getting pregnant, even if you are suffering from PCOS and endometriosis. There are multiple options available to help with getting pregnant.
