PCOS and Fertility: A Comprehensive Guide for Filipino Women

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age. For many Filipino women, the journey to a diagnosis can be confusing, marked by irregular periods, unexplained weight gain, and the frustrating challenge of trying to conceive.

If you have PCOS, you are not alone. More importantly, having PCOS does not mean you cannot have a baby. At Alpha Fertility Centre Philippines, we specialize in helping women with PCOS manage their symptoms and achieve successful pregnancies. This guide will help you understand your condition and the powerful treatment options available to you.

What is PCOS? Understanding the Root of the Challenge

PCOS is a complex “syndrome,” or a group of symptoms, that affects your ovaries and ovulation. The three main features are:

1. Irregular Periods or No Periods: This is often the first sign. Without a regular cycle, ovulation is unpredictable or doesn’t happen at all, making timing conception very difficult.
2. Excess Androgens: Higher than normal levels of “male” hormones can cause physical signs like acne, oily skin, excess facial or body hair (hirsutism), and sometimes thinning hair on the scalp.
3. Polycystic Ovaries: Your ovaries may become enlarged and contain many small, fluid-filled follicles that surround the eggs. It’s important to know that you can have polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound without having PCOS, and you can have PCOS with normal-looking ovaries.

Why does this happen? PCOS is fundamentally linked to insulin resistance. When your body doesn’t use insulin effectively, it produces more of it. High insulin levels can increase androgen production and disrupt the signals that trigger ovulation.

PCOS and Fertility: Why Conception Can Be Difficult

The primary way PCOS affects fertility is by preventing the regular release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation). If you don’t ovulate, you can’t get pregnant. This is known as anovulation.

However, PCOS can also create other challenges:

• Irregular Cycles: Makes predicting ovulation for timed intercourse nearly impossible.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Can affect the quality of the uterine lining, making it less receptive to a fertilized egg.
• Increased Risk of Miscarriage: Hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance may contribute to a higher risk of early pregnancy loss.
• Metabolic Health: Conditions like insulin resistance and obesity (common with PCOS) can independently affect fertility.

A Path to Hope: Effective PCOS Fertility Treatments

The good news is that PCOS is one of the most treatable causes of infertility. Treatment is often a stepped approach, tailored to your specific symptoms and goals.

1. Lifestyle Modifications: The Foundation of Management
This is the crucial first step, especially for many Filipino women whose diets can be high in carbohydrates and sugar.

• Diet: Focus on a low-glycemic index (GI) diet. This means choosing whole grains (like brown rice over white rice), lean protein (fish, chicken), and plenty of vegetables. Reducing sugar and processed foods can dramatically improve insulin sensitivity.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity, even 30 minutes of brisk walking most days, helps your body use insulin more effectively and can aid in weight management.
• Weight Management: Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can be enough to restart ovulation naturally in many women.

2. Medications to Induce Ovulation
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, the next step is often oral medications to stimulate your ovaries.

• Clomiphene Citrate or Letrozole: These are often the first-line fertility drugs. Letrozole, in particular, has been shown to be very effective for women with PCOS. We will monitor your response with ultrasound to ensure safety and effectiveness.

3. Advanced Fertility Treatments
If medication alone isn’t successful, or if there are other fertility factors, we have highly effective options.

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Combined with ovulation-inducing medication, IUI can increase the chances of pregnancy by placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus at the exact time of ovulation.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF is a very successful treatment for PCOS. It allows us to retrieve multiple eggs, fertilize them in our advanced lab, and transfer a single healthy embryo, bypassing the ovulation problem entirely. We use specific protocols to prevent a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which women with PCOS are more prone to.

Living with PCOS: A Partner in Your Journey

At Alpha Fertility Centre, we see you as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. We partner with you to manage your PCOS for your fertility goals and your long-term health, providing support, clarity, and a personalized care plan.

You can overcome the challenges of PCOS and build the family you dream of. Let us create a personalized treatment plan for you. Schedule your consultation with our IVF specialist at Alpha IVF Manila Inc. today!