IVF Protocol for PCOS Patients: Everything You Need to Know

PFCLA
06/03/2022

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is a Medical Condition Commonly Abbreviated As PCOS

Although not widely known, it is a hormonal condition affecting between 5% to 10% of all women. Unlike common identifiable diseases, it encompasses several problems and symptoms typically found together.

Let’s take a look at the relationship between pregnancy and PCOS. You can also learn about your many fertility options if you’re dealing with PCOS and worry about how it will affect the success rate of your IVF procedure. 

Pregnancy and PCOS

For starters, women who suffer from severe PCOS may not regularly release eggs or ovulate. Therefore, it can impact fertility. Women with this condition have a lower chance of getting pregnant, which can be reversed for some with lifestyle changes like exercising and losing weight.

Some women continue to experience infrequent ovulation despite making the above lifestyle changes. Most doctors would recommend the use of PCOS fertility vitamins at this stage. However, it is only natural to start looking for other alternatives to help with conception.

What Are Good Fertility Options for PCOS?

Fertility treatments are an excellent choice for women with PCOS that want to get pregnant. Below, we take a look at all options to get you started.

PCOS Fertility Medication

The first PCOS infertility treatment option that your doctor will recommend is the use of medication that encourages ovulation. Oral drugs such as Letrozole and clomiphene citrate (Clomid) can help regulate ovulation. Injection-delivered fertility medications are the next alternative if oral drugs prove unsuccessful.

Fertility medications that are injected into patients are very effective at stimulating egg growth. However, continuous medical supervision is important since it can lead to the production of several eggs, which poses a risk of multiple births.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI can be used alongside ovulation-inducing medications. During this process, the medication starts a few weeks before the procedure. Using ultrasound, doctors check egg development to determine the best time for IUI.

A semen sample is then directly inserted into the uterus on the scheduled day. You will then have to undergo pregnancy blood tests a few weeks after the procedure. The success rate is about 15% per cycle for couples having monthly IUI procedures.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF is an excellent option when PCOS fertility medications fail. With IVF, there are higher chances of getting pregnant with lower risks. For starters, doctors can reduce the chance of multiple births by only transferring a single embryo into your uterus.

PCOS and IVF protocol include several steps, all of which your healthcare provider or doctor will provide you with guidance. However, you can start early by looking through our website to better understand the IVF fertility treatment procedure.  

Surgery

When other treatments prove unsuccessful, surgery becomes the next viable step. Your doctor will carry out several tests and a vaginal ultrasound scan before recommending surgery. You will learn all the details about the procedure from your doctor.

IVF with PCOS —The Success Rates

When other treatments are unsuccessful, women suffering from PCOS can get pregnant with IVF. However, they need to find a high-quality clinic. The success rate of IVF in PCOS is about 70%, which is excellent for women with PCOS who want to conceive.

The Bottom Line

Are you a woman with PCOS struggling to have children? IVF is an excellent fertility treatment that can help you achieve your dream of parenthood while avoiding complications. At PCFA, we have contributed to the birth of  13,500 babies to families around the world through assisted reproductive technology like IVF. Contact us today to get started.

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Note: This is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information provided is for general educational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Speak to your doctor directly with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Any information contained herein does not replace any care plan as determined by a physician. 

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