Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormone conditions. The NHS estimates it affects about 1 in every 10 women. It is a leading cause of irregular ovulation, but most people with PCOS can get pregnant, sometimes with treatment.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is usually diagnosed when someone has at least two of these:
- Irregular or absent periods, because ovulation does not happen regularly
- Signs of higher levels of androgens (hormones such as testosterone), such as extra hair growth or acne, or raised levels in a blood test
- Ovaries with many small follicles on an ultrasound scan
How PCOS affects fertility
Without regular ovulation, it is harder to predict fertile days and there are fewer chances to conceive each year. Ovulation test kits can also be less reliable, because LH levels may already be high.
What can help
- Lifestyle: if you are overweight, losing a small amount of weight, even 5 to 10%, can help ovulation return.
- Medicines to trigger ovulation: letrozole is now often the first choice, with clomiphene as an alternative.
- Metformin is sometimes used, especially with insulin resistance.
- Further treatment, such as injections or IVF, if tablets do not work.
PCOS and pregnancy
People with PCOS have a higher chance of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure in pregnancy, so your care team may offer extra checks.
When to see a doctor
If you have irregular periods and want to get pregnant, see your doctor early rather than waiting a full year of trying.
Pregnant through fertility treatment? Work out your due date with our IVF Due Date Calculator.