PCOS affects over 5 million people across the globe each year. So are all those 5 million people undergoing IVF to get pregnant?
Moreover, estimates show that more than half a million babies are born each year from IVF.
So, after seeing the numbers, can you see the chances of getting pregnant even after having PCOS?
Of course, yes! This is what we are going to cover in this topic, i.e., solutions for infertility with PCOS.
A disorder called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) involves hormonal abnormalities and issues with metabolism. Although it affects the ovaries, this condition does not always cause infertility. You can conceive a child. But PCOS is a commonly cited reason for infertility.
Before going any further, let’s understand how PCOS affects fertility.
The hormonal imbalances in PCOS may lead to-
● High levels of androgens (male sex hormones)
● The build-up of small, painless, fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries
● The thickening of the outer core of the ovaries
● High levels of insulin
The aforementioned reasons interfere with ovulation and lead to missed periods or infertility issues. This results in symptoms of PCOS like excessive hair growth, thinning of hair, oily skin, acne, skin tags, darkened skin, weight gain, etc.
Thus, in order to get everything back to normal, you should consult a health practitioner. But here, you have got three options of medicine to choose from, i.e., Ayurvedic, Allopathic, and Homeopathic. I am an Ayurvedic health practitioner, and hence, choosing a natural way to get pregnant is what I shall prefer and talk about. Even modern medicine favors these ways to get pregnant other than directly opting for IVF. So, let’s get started.
Ayurveda on the causes of PCOS
PCOS is brought on by an imbalance of the Meda, Rasa, and Arthava dhatus, in addition to the Kapha, Pitta, and Vata doshas. Numerous factors, including mental stress, lifestyle disorders, poor eating habits, a lack of sleep, as well as excessive daytime sleeping, among others, contribute to the imbalance in dosha and dhatus, and these factors may only be determined after a thorough examination.
Aartava-kshaya, which has been linked to PCOS, is characterized by a lack of or loss of artava, as well as an inability for it to endure for three days and to emerge on schedule or at all. The doshas’ involvement in PCOS can be noted as,
● Patients with Kapha dominance may have weight gain, infertility, hirsutism, and diabetic tendencies.
● Patients with Pitta dominance have hair loss, acne, uncomfortable menstruation, clots, and cardiac issues.
● Patients with Vata dominance have painful menstrual cycles, sparse or little menstrual blood, and severe menstrual irregularities.
Ayurvedic Way of Managing Infertility and PCOS
The key pillars of Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS are clearing pelvic blockage, restoring normal metabolism, and controlling menstruation (Aartava Dhatu). Medicines that reduce Kapha, increase insulin, and balance hormones aid in the relief of symdptoms of PCOS.
The cleaning is brought in by Panchakarma therapy, which provides strength to reproductive organs like the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina. You may read about ayurvedic management for PCOS by clicking here.
Other natural ways of conceiving a baby are mentioned below.
1. Diet and Exercise
A nutritious diet is essential for anyone’s overall health. A low-calorie, low-carb diet that contains all the important nutrients, on the other hand, is believed to greatly improve. As for insulin sensitivity and fertility in people with PCOS, according to a trusted source, losing excess weight can help improve PCOS symptoms if your BMI is high.
2. Acupuncture
This therapy helps by increasing blood flow to the ovaries, reducing ovarian cysts, managing hyperglycemia, reducing cortisol levels, and assisting in weight loss.
3. Herbal supplements
Supplements consisting of ashwagandha, cinnamon, and turmeric herbs help to control insulin resistance and balance cortisol levels.
4. Mental health
It might be frustrating to have problems conceiving. And going through reproductive treatments can be an emotional roller coaster. These are physical issues, but they also wreak havoc on relationships and mental health. Depression and anxiety are fairly common among patients with PCOS. Hence, it becomes important to maintain a healthy state of mind while undergoing any treatment.
Wrapping Up
The PCOS condition involves hormonal imbalances that can lead to infertility issues. These issues can be managed naturally, and if you still get unsuccessful results, you may opt for IVF. But, in most cases, you won’t have to go to that extent.
You can also go for allopathic medicine, which includes the intake of medications like Clomiphene citrate, Letrozole, Metformin, Gonadotropins, etc. But what I feel may be an issue here is that these are hormonal birth control pills. They supplement hormones in the body but are inefficient in restoring the missing link between the brain and imbalanced hormones.
So, I would recommend a natural way of conceiving a baby. Conceive your baby naturally!
