Eight to ten percent of women in their prime reproductive years – under the age of 33 – suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) due to obesity. PCOS is the result of a hormonal endocrine disorder adversely affecting a woman’s natural ability to get pregnant.

Obesity and Infertility

Without infertility treatment, obese women suffering from PCOS may never conceive. PCOS is a health condition adversely affecting a woman’s:

• Menstrual cycle
• Ability to have children
• Hormones
• Heart
• Blood vessels
• Appearance

PCOS Physical Symptoms

• High levels of androgens (male hormones)
• Missed or irregular periods
• Small cysts in the ovaries

Treatment for PCOS and Infertility‍

The following medications manage insulin and blood sugar levels:

• Metformin
• Clomid
• Femara

Obesity - BMI - and Infertility

Obese women – those having a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 – have been scientifically proven to have severe reproductive and metabolic abnormalities associated with PCOS.BMI over 30 are associated with greater increases in:

• Blood Pressure
• Fasting Glucose
• Fasting Insulin Levels
• Dyslipidemia
• Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity is also linked to decreased LH-to-FSH levels, antimullerian hormone levels, antral follicle counts, and increasing cardiovascular risk.Basically, obesity is linked to a decline in one’s quality of life.

Obesity – PCOS – Infertility Treatment via IVF

When PCOS interferes with a woman’s reproductive system and creates metabolic abnormalities, treatment through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can increase her chances of pregnancy.A women suffering from PCOS does not have the ability to make the hormones required to induce an egg follicle to completely mature. Her egg follicle may begin to grow and build fluid, however, ovulation is not triggered naturally. These immature follicles may remain as cysts. Also, because ovulation does not occur, the woman does not generate the production of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is necessary for a woman’s menstrual cycle to maintain regularity.Through IVF treatment, a woman’s hormones can be regulated through fertility medications that will stimulate the growth of egg follicles. These egg follicles can then be surgically retrieved and fertilized with sperm in vitro. After the embryos have develop to a quality stage in vitro, they can be transferred to the woman’s uterus for implantation and/or cryopreserved for future Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET).

Preeminent Fertility Specialist

Discover more information on how preventing obesity and PCOS can increase your chances of getting pregnant and preserve your dream of building a family.The brand new, state of the art Naperville Fertility Center is home to the most advanced IVF laboratory in the state of Illinois. Click the icon below to download your free eBook Guide To Fertility Treatment compliments of Dr. Randy S. Morris – or – call 630.357.6540 to schedule a consultation.