How do We Relate PCOS and Infertility?

Women who are having infertility problems have probably heard of PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The condition seems to be related to excessive insulin production, although it is not totally conclusive. It seems to be that excessive production of male hormones or androgen's could be responsible, which could be related to insensitivity to insulin, and that can upset the balance of hormones and lead to diabetes.

Creating a sufficient amount of female hormones is essential, when it comes to the ovulation process. PCOS can interfere because it causes an imbalance, which starts a chain reaction. Follicles turn to cysts when stunted, and they don't produce the eggs that are part of the ovulation process. Sometimes, cysts are formed in a group or chain of pearl-sized growths that can be present outside the ovaries, hindering the entire process.

In fact, the process leads to irregular menstrual cycles- or they might not happen at all. This is because PCOS hormone imbalances mean that little or no progesterone is created. That important hormone is essential to causing the lining of the uterus to thicken as part of the fertilization process. The results of this vicious cycle means there are no periods, no progesterone production and no fertilized eggs, which are the most obvious symptoms of PCOS.

As a woman gets older, the syndrome becomes less obvious as a disorder, but it can become more pronounced. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can progress with the age of the woman, as becoming pregnant can become harder as a natural part of the aging process. Sometimes a period is still regular and present, so it can be harder to realize that PCOS is responsible, even though symptoms might be present.

Almost 10% of women in child-bearing years can have the syndrome and older women can have up to a 20% occurrence. The problem is that many women don't realize they have it until they have been diagnosed or they have obvious symptoms. Some women may be chemically infertile because of this hormone imbalance, which can trigger chemical reactions with insulin levels.

Changes in hair growth, such as on the face, neck or back are common symptoms and due to the male hormones that cause these clues. Sometimes, hair will thin or you will gain weight because of the hormone imbalances, which become more pronounced as you get older. Pelvic pain and increased insulin levels can be clues, but sometimes, period irregularity is the most obvious sign. An examination by the doctor can confirm cases of PCOS, in most cases.

There are a number of potential solutions to PCOS, but controlling excessive insulin production is one of the most important. When there is a lack of ovulation, then the ability to conceive is going to be greatly affected. Adjustments to diet and exercise can battle the effects of PCOS and losing weight is one of the most effective ways for the body to balance the natural chemistry, which involves control of insulin production.

Sometimes, prescriptions of Metformin and Clomid might help in controlling insulin production and the estrogen receptors in the brain, which can block hormone sensitivity. These drugs can send signals that tell the brain that the estrogen level is too low, which triggers hormone productions that can induce ovulation. This actually has up to a 40% success rate in producing proper ovulation and these users can become pregnant.

In-Vitro Maturation (IVM) is a process where eggs are harvested before they become fully developed and instead, they go through the process in lab conditions. The difference in this process from In-Vitro Fertilization is that the eggs are harvested before they get discarded in the natural process, early in the cycle, in other words. The results are that eggs can be re-implanted and nurtured with IVF medications to induce normal development, free from hormone irregularity and insulin interferences.

Michael Key has written extensively for 30 years on a wide variety of technical issues. For more information on PCOS and infertility look for his new book "Secrets of Infertility Relief" available only at InfertilityRelief.com.

PCOS and Infertility
There is a lot more information on infertility at the InfertilityRelief.com website.