Do you have PCOS while trying to concieve?

Gunce • Head of Research at Glow. Unwilling infertility expert. 2 kids after 4 years of infertility treatments.

PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome is a reproductive condition that makes conception difficult. I - and about 1 in every 8 other women - have this terrible stinking condition. It sucks in many many ways.

PCOS causes a woman's ovaries to produce higher-than-normal amounts of androgens. Androgens are "male" hormones that are produced in the bodies of both sexes. Androgen is the fun hormone that leads to male-pattern hair loss on your head and excess hair EVERYWHERE ELSE. (It's so unfair.) It also has other perks like pimples and weight gain.

It can also stop you from ovulating. As we all know - that's kind of a key thing for women who are TTC.

Fortunately, there are treatments for the condition.

Options include fertility medication, diabetes medication, birth control pills and surgical intervention. Perhaps the healthiest and least invasive way to combat the disorder is to make lifestyle changes like weight loss, exercise and the adoption of a healthy diet (low-fat and low-sugar with an increase in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean meats). All of which is easier said than done.

If you have PCOS, losing just 5 to 10 percent of your current body weight can help regulate your cycle and restore menstruation [sources: MedlinePlus; WomensHealth.gov].

Here is what worked for me: Daily metformin (ugh!), weight loss (20+ lbs), walking a lot (this wasn't bad), and let's not forget - a ton load of fertility medication and procedures.

PCOS is no joke. It's terrible, horrible and heartbreaking. It can make you feel like Sisyphus - who in greek mythology was doomed to push a boulder up a hill only to watch it come down again.

What about you? Do you have PCOS? How are you dealing with it? Any success?

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