• About Us
  • Our Services
    • Fertility Consultation
    • Fertility Coaching
    • PCOS Support
    • Menopause Consultation
    • Menopause Coaching Programme
    • Women’s Health Consultation
  • FAQs
  • Corporate Consultancy
  • The Fertility Podcast
  • Journal
  • Shop
  • Book an Appointment
    • Contact
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About Us
  • Our Services
    • Fertility Consultation
    • Fertility Coaching
    • PCOS Support
    • Menopause Consultation
    • Menopause Coaching Programme
    • Women’s Health Consultation
  • FAQs
  • Corporate Consultancy
  • The Fertility Podcast
  • Journal
  • Shop
  • Book an Appointment
    • Contact
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Your Fertility Journey

Your Fertility Journey

Helping you through yours

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

20th April 2021 · In: Blog, Fertility Facts, PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is something mentioned a lot here on Your Fertility Journey. The international guidelines for PCOS were released in 2018 and are currently the most up-to-date information available. This article features part of a previous conversation had on the Fertility Podcast with Professor Adam Balen, a full-time consultant and fertility specialist, and highlights some of the key aspects of the guidelines.

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is very common and affects approximately 15% of women. The condition itself comes in many forms, and the term ‘syndrome’ relates to a collection of signs and symptoms. The key symptom is irregular or absent periods (however there are other symptoms too). For some women, this means unpredictable periods or maybe no periods at all. If you are not having periods, then you won’t be having regular ovulations.

When you have PCOS, your ovaries contain many more of the tiny, normally occurring cystic structures which contain the eggs. These are often referred to as follicles and in normal cycles, you have several follicles at the beginning of the cycle, but only one will grow and ovulate. When you have PCOS, you tend to have an imbalance of hormonal signals within the ovaries and the signals which are important for the follicle to grow in a coordinated way. The ovary stacks up with lots of these tiny cystic follicles, which are visible on an ultrasound scan.

PCOS and lifestyle

Weight can affect PCOS. Often people who are overweight tend to suffer more with PCOS, and they can benefit from lifestyle changes, weight loss, and careful nutrition assessment to improve prospects of ovulating naturally and ovulating in responses to any treatments which may be necessary. These aspects are all covered in the international guidelines.

There is not one set diet for PCOS but trying to keep carbohydrate levels low is a good plan. However, you need to have an appropriate balance of the right protein and fats. Seeing an expert in reproductive nutrition can be a good idea.

Making healthy lifestyle changes is a first action step to take. It is important to get your partner involved too. Going through a fertility journey is often a shared experience, so improving both of your lifestyles and health will increase the prospects of having a healthy home, household, and hopefully pregnancy.


Ovulation induction treatment

Unfortunately, even with lifestyle changes, many women will still experience irregular periods.

For many years, Clomifene, or Clomid, has been used as a treatment for increasing ovulation, and this works well, with many successful pregnancies and births as a result.

More recently, Letrozole, which is in a different class of drugs, has been used as a treatment and works within the ovary itself to influence the relative balance of the main ovarian hormones, which are testosterone and oestrogen. These are the main hormones that the growing follicles make. Testosterone is required to produce oestrogen, which is the main hormone associated with reproductive health. Women with PCOS, however, often have elevated levels of testosterone, which can lead to other side effects such as unwanted hair growth, and sometimes acne and hair thinning.

Letrozole works by correcting the hormone imbalance and allows the follicles to grow in an orderly manner. Clomifene, on the other hand, leads to higher levels of the hormones which stimulate the follicles outside the ovary. The evidence is showing that Letrozole is going to give you a better chance of conceiving due to its work within the ovary.


Current prescriptions and the need to change mindsets

Overall, we are still seeing a mix of the treatments being prescribed, with many people still receiving Clomifene, or Clomid, despite the guidelines regarding Letrozole being there. However, if you are on Clomid and are not responding after two rounds, it is worth going back to your doctor and ask if you can go back and try Letrozole because it could be that you are more likely to respond to Letrozole if you haven’t done so with Clomid.

Letrozole also carries a lesser risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancies due to the way it works and overall seems to have less side effects and risks.


IVF, ovarian drilling and your ability to conceive with PCOS

Many women are still being told that they won’t get pregnant with PCOS – which is not the case. As long as you get referred to the right specialists, there is every reason to feel optimistic about conceiving when you have PCOS. It may take longer to get pregnant, but it doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The same goes for weight loss and leading a healthier lifestyle. With the right support, even a small decrease in weight can improve your fertility chances.

A common belief is that women with PCOS need to have IVF, but this is not always the case. Ovulation induction treatments are very effective. Of course, it is also important to ensure all other aspects of your fertility are healthy.

An ovarian diathermy or the more off-putting name of ‘ovarian drilling’, which is a laparoscopic surgical procedure, is a further option. The surgery is designed to cauterise points on the ovary to stimulate ovulation. This offered as frequently these days as medication can be very successful.


Key points to take away

PCOS can’t be cured but it can be controlled through the treatment options available.

From a diet perspective, lowering your refined carbohydrate and sugar intake, and switching to wholegrain products, along with lifestyle changes is where the treatment starts.

Tracking and understanding your cycle is important, along with becoming your own advocate and fighting for the support and treatment you deserve.

I hope you have found this helpful and feel more informed about PCOS and what it involves.

Useful resources and blog posts on PCOS:

It can’t be cured but it can be controlled

Fighting back against PCOS

PCOS journal

You can book your PCOS consultation with expert Kate Davies right here

By: Kate · In: Blog, Fertility Facts, PCOS

you’ll also love

10 daily healthy habits of women who are in control of their PCOS
Diminished Ovarian Reserve – what this means for you
5 Tips to help get you through egg retrieval

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Next Post >

TTC? What should you ask your GP?

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Endometriosis
  • Fertility Coach
  • Fertility Facts
  • IVF
  • Menopause
  • PCOS
Your Fertility Journey Ltd
5.0
Based on 51 reviews
powered by Google
review us on
Amy King
13:43 16 May 22
Kate is like a wonderfully kind Aunt and a fountain of all knowledge. She is the perfect balance of information and warmth that is needed to help you muddle through. I would highly recommend booking in with Kate at whatever point of your fertility journey you are in. Thank you Kate for your time!
Rachael Wilding
11:41 05 May 22
I had 5 sessions of coaching with Kate Davies prior to, during and in the 2 week wait following my 3rd round of IVF.I’d had a tough time over my 2nd cycle and was losing the hope following a loss earlier in the year and a bunch of very negative test results. I really needed something to help me to get back on track. Sessions with Kate were the perfect tonic. Over Christmas I took a break from treatment and gained techniques from Kate to help build up resilience and self care basket ready for starting a 3rd cycle in February.I started treatment in early February and it went very smoothly. We had a fresh day 5 embryo transfer on 19th February. This was also the due date for the baby we lost last year and the feelings surrounding this date were big and mixed but Kate helped me through it.We had several sessions during the 2 week wait and learnt techniques to try and keep as rational and calm as possible and this was so so so beneficial. On our final session I was able to share the lovely news that it had been successful and we talked about the emotions that came with pregnancy after loss.Being a nurse myself I really appreciated her clinical advice on top of her support and practical techniques she gave to help me through this cycle. The support from my clinic was amazing but they were busy. To be able to sit with a knowledgeable, kind and compassionate healthcare professional for an hour at a time during treatment really helped to keep my stress levels low and to be in the best shape for getting through one of the most challenging few weeks I have ever been through with hope and sanity still intact. My favourite bit of advice was to make a plan for test day to have the time with my husband to talk and reflect on the outcome. We went out for a meal together and just talked and took in the news.I’m now 2nd trimester pregnant with a healthy little baby boy on the way and I still have to pinch myself at times to believe that it worked. It was a dark period of hopelessness following my 2nd cycle and honestly feel that with each session everything got lighter and lighter. I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to and have a baby and having the extra support certainly helped me to throw everything at it too.
Loretta Collins
19:58 26 Apr 22
Kate was fantastic, supportive, understanding and extremely knowledgeable . After suffering from amenorrhea for 16 months I didn't know what to do and have been feeling quite lost. Kate has been able to assist me in trying to find answers and maximise my fertility.
Warren Delay
09:18 10 Apr 22
I’ve been working with Kate for a good six months now. First she’s helped me understand my options and some of the tests i need to work through - as I have secondary infertility I’m not going to get much help off the nhs so having Kate there for solid guidance has been great. More recently Kate has helped me with some fertility coaching following a miscarriage which has really helped me to put coping mechanisms in place and feel more hopeful! Thanks Kate!Katie delay (not warren)
L Porter
08:11 02 Feb 22
Kate is very approchable, answered all of our questions. Excellent advice for us both. Instagram page & podcasts also very infromative.

join the mailing list

Receive your free '10 Evidence Based Tips to Boost Your Fertility' eBook

10 Evidence Based Tips to Boost Your Fertility Cover Image

Follow Along

@your_fertility_nurse

This is fantastic news! The first step in the righ This is fantastic news! The first step in the right direction in supporting women (and men) with reproductive health in the workplace.
.
The Government is set to amend the Employment Rights Bill to give parents the legal right to take time off work to grieve their loss, no matter what stage of pregnancy. 

No one who is dealing with the heartbreak of pregnancy loss should be forced to return to work until they are ready. At last, pregnancy loss is being recognised as a significant bereavement.
.
The extended right to leave will be for ‘at least’ one week, however the exact length is still being consulted on. Let’s hope it’s for longer if needed…….
#pregnancylossawareness #miscarriage #work #fertilityintheworkplace
Winnie - a whole week of you! So many experiences Winnie - a whole week of you!

So many experiences so far and so much yet to see, do and learn.

Catkin is still bigger than you and is clearly the boss……..

@kanaswold_goldenretrievers_ #puppylove🐶 #goldenretrievers_ #goldenretrieversofinstagram
Winnie is making herself at home with these 3 ❤️❤️

@kanaswold_goldenretrievers_  #puppylove #goldenretrievers_ofinstagram #goldenretriever #goldenretrieversofinstagram
First wonderful day of YOU Winnie! #puppylove #go First wonderful day of YOU Winnie!

#puppylove #goldenretrievers_ofinstagram #goldenretrieversofinstagram #goldenretriever
Whaaattt? You’re bringing a golden retriever pup Whaaattt? You’re bringing a golden retriever puppy home tomorrow?? You’ve got to be kidding…….

Oh yes we are…….@kanaswold_goldenretrievers_

Footer

Info

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Procedure

Work with Me

  • Our Services
  • Corporate Consultancy
  • Book an Appointment

Copyright © 2025 · Theme by 17th Avenue