Is there a possibility to conceive a child despite having PCOD?

Hi,

Thanks for trusting us with your health care.

I can understand your concern.

Let me provide a few facts about PCOD. PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease) is a congenital condition, meaning it is genetically programmed and inherited from your parents. When you suddenly gain weight, cholesterol is transformed into estrogen hormone. For instance, you might have noticed that obese men sometimes develop breasts, and young obese girls who start their periods at an early age have high levels of estrogen or female hormones. In your body, excess fat, which acts as a store for the future, can lead to an imbalance between FSH (from the brain) and ovarian hormones. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) stimulates the follicle in the ovary. But when the follicle is ready to ovulate, the estrogen hormone produced by the ovary suppresses FSH. However, if the estrogen hormone is coming from fat, it confuses the brain, causing the follicle to stop growing early at a smaller size, preventing it from rupturing. On the next scan, you will see these undeveloped follicles as polycystic ovaries.

PCOD is often associated with obesity, irregular menstrual cycles, absence of periods for several months followed by heavy periods with clots and fleshy masses, or intermittent spotting. It can also be related to thyroid abnormalities and elevated prolactin levels indirectly. You may notice the development of excess fat around the midsection of your body, especially around the waist, thighs, and breasts. There is typically less fat below the elbows and knees. Other common symptoms include excessive body hair growth, hair loss, a dark shade on the lower half of the face, acne, oily facial skin, darkened skin on the back of the neck, inner thighs, and underneath the breasts. Additionally, there may be a family history of diabetes, particularly on the father's side or within his family. This will not allow ovulation to occur on time, so you cannot get pregnant until treated. It also increases your chances of early pregnancy abortions. Fortunately, there is a solution. You can calculate your BMI (body mass index) using an online formula to check if it falls within the normal range. Your expected weight should be between 148 to 154 pounds. Since your weight is nearly normal, your PCOD problem should not be significant. Once you bring your weight into the normal range, you will not need any medication to regulate your periods or to become pregnant, and your pregnancies will be healthier. To reduce weight:

1. Avoid fasting and say no to junk food, fast foods, and red meat.
2. Reduce snacks between meals.
3. Consume low-calorie foods with high protein content.
4. Incorporate regular exercise, especially targeting the waist and hip area, including activities like aerobics, yoga, brisk walking (swing your arms well), and aim to reduce 4.41 to 8.82 pounds per month. Avoid rushing the weight reduction process; it can be challenging to maintain.
5. As soon as you reduce 4.41 to 6.61 pounds, you will notice positive changes. Your chances of getting pregnant will improve, and the risk of abortion will decrease.

There is no harm in having sex in between. Siphene (Clomiphene) is a medicine that increases the number of eggs released from the ovaries, while M-Torr (Leucine, Valine, and Isoleucine) tablets is used to improve the quality of eggs. If I may offer advice, please check if the following checklist of investigations has been completed:

1. For the Husband - At least two semen analyses, done four weeks apart, preferably at an infertility center by an andrologist. Also, blood sugar levels need to be checked.
2. For the Wife - Blood sugar levels and a thyroid profile should be evaluated.
3. Ultrasound scans are necessary to assess the uterus, ovaries, and adnexa.
4. It is crucial to confirm tubal patency, as the tube serves as the connection between the uterus and ovaries – the bridge where sperm meets the egg to form a baby. This tube is as small as a hair follicle and cannot be seen on scans. Due to its tiny size, the tube can become easily blocked.
5. To check for this, methods like HSG or hysterosalpingography (X-ray with dye), SSG or sonosalpingography (scan with dye), or laparoscopy are employed.

If all these tests are completed and found to be normal, nothing can prevent a pregnancy.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at icliniq.

Thank you.