You are not alone. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is one of the most common reasons women have trouble getting pregnant. More importantly, though, there are treatments available to help women with PCOS go on to have healthy pregnancies. Don’t give up hope!

The hormonal imbalance in women with PCOS interferes with egg growth and release from the ovaries. Your doctor will be able to recommend what treatment plan makes most sense to address this (could be losing weight, medicine, IVF, etc.). In the meantime, here are a few tips of things you can get started on today:

• Adopt a healthy and balanced diet with good fats, grains, vegetables, and proteins. Avoid sugar and processed carbs like white bread and soda (I know! Not easy, but important). More info on a healthy fertility diet here.

• Exercise. This doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym, it just means move! Dancing, swimming, long walks...it all counts.

• Consider taking a vitamin D supplement. Many women are deficient and there have been studies linking sufficient vitamin D to fertility health.

• Up your cinnamon intake. This tasty spice has been linked to a host of benefits including reducing insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

• Talk to your doctor about swapping out Clomid for letrozole. There have been studies done showing Letrozole leading to higher live birth rates for women with PCOS.  

  Talk to your doctor about metformin. Studies show that PCOS treatment with metformin may be effective.