What lifestyle changes can help a woman with PCOS to conceive?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 30-year-old female. I am planning to get pregnant soon. I have PCOS and am trying hard to conceive. My height is five feet, and my weight is 176 pounds. Nowadays, we are facing so much difficulty in getting pregnant due to an improper lifestyle. May I know what the prime factors are that can be responsible for a woman to get pregnant soon? My doctor advised me to lose weight and to consume folic acid. Please tell me,

Can this lifestyle change help me to conceive soon?
What are other food restrictions and useful measures to follow to get pregnant soon?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) prevents ovulation, and that is the primary way it prevents you from getting pregnant. Weight loss reverses the process that causes PCOS and causes your body to resume back ovulation, thereby increasing your chances of getting pregnant.

Folic acid is essential for the initial development of a child after pregnancy. So, it is advisable for every woman desiring pregnancy to be on folic acid so that when pregnancy occurs, it will be a normal pregnancy. Those are the reasons why your doctor advised you to lose weight and placed you on folic acid.

Additionally, decrease your starch (carbohydrate) intake and increase fruits and vegetables. This would also help in weight loss. However, if the above measures do not result in pregnancy within six months, then you would need to have additional investigations like:

1. HSG (hysterosalpingography) or sonohysterogram to confirm the patency of your fallopian tubes (that is where fertilization takes place).

2. Seminal fluid analysis to check your partner’s sperm.

If the above tests are normal, then you can be stimulated to ovulate using Letrozole or Clomiphene.

I hope this information helps you.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.