PCOS and Pregnancy Complications: What to Watch Out For!

Trying to get pregnant while having PCOS? Our blog on PCOS and pregnancy gives insights on how to manage PCOS if you are trying to conceive.

  Health   Feb 10, 2025   42  Add to Reading List

When you search for information about “PCOS and Pregnancy” online, you'll find a lot of stuff out there. Some of it can be overwhelming or conflicting. It's important to remember that PCOS is a complex condition, and we still don't know much about how it affects fertility and pregnancy.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition in women that may impact their fertility and pregnancy. Approximately, 6 to 10% of women around the world suffer from PCOS. However, PCOS can be

managed with a healthy lifestyle and appropriate treatments leading to improved chances of pregnancy.

So, let’s dive into this blog to learn more about PCOS and pregnancy.

Let’s get started!

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth, and cysts on the ovaries. This can make it difficult for women to get pregnant because their egg cannot be fertilised by the sperm at the right time.

But that's not all. If you have PCOS, chances are that you might have high levels of male hormones also called androgens, which can interfere with the release of eggs from your ovaries and even affect the lining of your uterus. This lining is where a fertilised egg would normally implant, so it's crucial for a successful pregnancy.

Now that we have a better understanding of PCOS and fertility, let's look at some of the complications it can cause if left untreated.

There is no specific ‘start-time’ of PCOS. It can occur at any point following the menarche, the beginning of menstrual periods in women. However, major instances of PCOS have been identified among women in the age group of 20s to 30s. Global numbers reveal that PCOS affects about 1.55 million women of reproductive age.

White the exact cause of PCOS remains hitherto unknown, there are several contributing factors. The main factors are :

1. Resistance To Insulin

The pancreas produces insulin to help the body convert it into energy. When pancreatic cells become resistant to insulin, then this can lead to a rise in blood sugar levels. This leads to your body producing more insulin to balance the sugar levels. The increase in insulin production, in turn, leads to increase in the male hormone - androgen, eventually impacting a woman’s ability to produce eggs.

2. Long-Term, Low-Grade Inflammation

During instances of infection or injury, the white blood cells immediately produce substances that cause inflammation in response. This is known as low-grade inflammation. As per research, people with PCOS exhibited long-term low-grade inflammation leading to the ovaries producing male hormone androgen.

3. Family History

If this condition runs in your family, will you get it too? Yes, research suggests so. Studies suggest that certain genes can also be responsible for development of PCOS.

4. High Level Of Androgen

As discussed already in the points above, excessive levels of the male hormone androgen can be a major factor in the development of PCOS. This is because too much androgen can interfere with the ovulation process. Due to this, eggs don’t develop as regularly as they should and are not released from the follicles in a timely manner.

The symptoms of PCOS usually start around the same time as the first menstrual period. At times, the symptoms may also appear very later in life after the first menstrual cycle. While these symptoms may vary from person to person, there are 3 major tell-tale signs of PCOS. And you’re diagnosed with PCOS if you exhibit at least 2 of these:

1. Erratic/Irregular Periods

Ideally, a woman experiences one menstrual cycle per month. However, if the duration of the periods is more than 35 days apart, and hence less number of periods in a year (less than 9), then it could be a sign of PCOS. Likewise, having periods that last more than normal duration, then this could also hinder your chances of getting pregnant.

2. Excessive Androgen

We can’t emphasise enough how much trouble this hormone can cause if it's produced excessively. The most visible sign of high androgen levels is excessive facial and body hair in women, called hirsutism. Male-pattern baldness and severe acne are signs of this condition.

3. Polycystic Ovaries

Your ovaries might be bigger with immature-eggs-containing follicles developing around the ovarian edges. Thus resulting in ovaries not functioning normally, as they should.

These signs & symptoms are typically more common among people with obesity.

Pregnancy complications in women with PCOS are more likely to occur if symptoms are not managed early on. During pregnancy, the body naturally becomes more resistant to insulin. This is to ensure that the growing baby gets enough nutrients. However, in women with PCOS, this insulin resistance can be worse. Several hormones, such as human placental lactogen (HPL) and placental growth hormone (PGH), can also make insulin resistance worse during pregnancy. This resistance mainly affects the muscles that handle glucose (sugar) in the body.

The combination of high male hormones, obesity, and insulin resistance in PCOS can lead to pregnancy complications. These complications include miscarriages, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure problems, premature birth, and obesity-related complications.

Women with PCOS who are planning to get pregnant should speak to their doctor about the risks and how to manage their condition during pregnancy.

Let’s look at some ways to improve your chances of getting pregnant.

If you're trying to get pregnant with PCOS, here are 5 tips to help you on your journey.

PCOS can make it hard to get pregnant. An unhealthy diet is one of the main reasons that make your PCOS symptoms worse. Eating healthy can help improve your symptoms and make it easier to get pregnant. A healthy PCOS diet includes foods that are low in sugar and processed carbs, protein, vegetables, and whole grains.

Exercise is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and it can be especially beneficial for overweight or obese women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Losing extra weight can help regulate menstrual cycles and increase ovulation. Both strength training and aerobic exercises can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and prevent weight gain, making them great options for women with PCOS.

Stress can cause irregular periods in women of reproductive age. This can lead to decreased fertility, as the ovaries may not release an egg every month. Stress can also cause hormonal imbalances, which can further impact fertility. These imbalances can lead to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can make it difficult to get pregnant. Exercise, sufficient sleep, relaxation techniques, and counselling sessions are all helpful ways to manage stress and improve fertility.

As a woman with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), getting pregnant can be a bit more challenging than for those without PCOS. That's why it's essential to monitor your menstrual cycle and hormone levels. Luckily, there are various methods to do this, such as ovulation predictor kits, tracking your body temperature, and getting a female fertility hormone test.

LifeCell's OvaScore– a simple and convenient at-home self-collection female fertility hormone test, measures the levels of 9 reproductive hormones. By tracking these levels, one can get deep insights into their Ovarian Reserve, Thyroid Health, Ovulation, Possible Egg-Freezing and IVF outcomes. Not just this, the test also delivers information on medical conditions that may impact your fertility, such as early menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, and much more!

If you want to stay up to date on your reproductive health, keep an eye on your fertility status and plan for a healthy pregnancy, LifeCell’s OvaScore is the perfect solution.

If you have PCOS, exercise can help improve your chances of conception. However, if you are actively trying to conceive, discuss with your doctor about fertility treatment options.

As a woman with PCOS, you might be wondering if having a healthy pregnancy is possible. The good news is, it is! However, it may require a bit more effort on your part. By making changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can address the underlying causes of PCOS and overcome the challenges that come with it.

To effectively manage PCOS and pregnancy, it's important to track your hormone levels. LifeCell OvaScore is an at-home self-collection female fertility hormone test kit that can help you do just that. It assesses 9 reproductive hormones, including LH, FSH, thyroxine, prolactin, estradiol, and AMH, to provide insights into your reproductive health.

By considering LifeCell OvaScore, you can take control of your PCOS and increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Remember, with the right tools and support, you can overcome any challenge that comes your way.

So why wait? Order your LifeCell OvaScore today!

Yes, losing weight can improve your chances of getting pregnant with PCOS. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% can improve ovulation and increase the chances of conception.

Women with PCOS may have a higher risk of certain pregnancy complications, like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, premature birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage. It's important to talk to your doctor about these risks and how to manage them.

PCOS is a long-term condition that can’t be cured but can be managed with treatment. The symptoms of PCOS can revert even after treatment, especially if the condition's underlying causes are not addressed. It’s important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes, medication, and regular monitoring of your condition.

Article Source :

This article was originally published on

https://www.lifecell.in/blog/general/pregnancy-complications-associated-with-pcos

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