What Is the Average Time to Conceive with PCOS?

One of the most concerning aspects of PCOS for most women affected by the condition is difficulty in conceiving. Online forums are full of success stories and pictures of babies and their happy “PCOS mums”, but here you are still trying to get pregnant. Trying to get pregnant with PCOS can be a long journey and it can sometimes feel a little hopeless. What am I doing wrong? Why are all those other women getting pregnant and I’m not? Where is my “miracle baby”? Many women with PCOS, who are looking to have a baby wonder what the average time to conceive with PCOS is and while there is not exact answer to that question, we have done the research and want to look into the factors, that affect how long it takes to conceive with PCOS and what you can do to beat the odds. Some women are able to conceive within a year for others it can take a little (or sometimes also a lot) longer. The most important thing: Don’t loose hope. You got this!

Factors That Affect the Average Time To Conceive with PCOS

Getting pregnant with PCOS is not impossible, but it may be difficult. Also, the time it takes to conceive will vary depending on various factors. Bear in mind that conceiving if you have PCOS does not entirely depend on you, but your partner’s health matters as well. Here are a few factors that affect PCOS pregnancy:

Age

Age is one of the most important factors that affect your ability to conceive. Your fertility level decreases after the age of 35, and further after you touch 40. Of course, if you have PCOS as well, it will affect your ability to conceive even more. Getting pregnant with PCOS after 35 is not impossible, it will just be difficult. Some women are able to conceive naturally, while others need drugs that enhance fertility. In some cases, you may even need to opt for technology to get pregnant.

Ovulation Cycle

Contrary to popular belief, not all women with PCOS have irregular cycles. Of course, it is a common symptom associated with the condition but some women have regular cycles. It all depends on how effectively you work towards curbing your symptoms. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding certain habits can actually help your ovulation cycles.

If you have irregular cycles, you will have difficulty getting pregnant. But the odds really improve if your menstrual cycles are regular. There are many hormonal medications available that will help with ovulation. Be sure to consult with your doctor before you start using any medication. Without a proper checkup, the medication could do more harm than good.

Other Medical Conditions

If you have other medical conditions in addition to PCOS, they could also hinder your ability to conceive. So, it is best to check yourself for conditions, like uterine fibroids. This condition affects about 30% of women. Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow on the uterine wall. Fortunately, this condition does not have any symptoms that could affect your lifestyle, but can affect your ability to get pregnant.

Partner’s Health

Your partner’s health also plays a critical role in getting pregnant with PCOS If your partner has a low sperm count, you will find it difficult to get pregnant.

If you have a regular ovulation cycle and you and your partner are in perfect health, you could get pregnant in a year. Of course, if your PCOS condition is severe, it could take longer to get pregnant. Fortunately, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make to speed things up. If you and your partner team up and adapt those changes, getting pregnant with PCOS might not be so difficult after all.

PCOS Pregnancy Challenges

If you and your partner are planning on having a baby, it is important to consult a doctor first. You do not need to concern yourself solely with average time to conceive. PCOS is not the only factor that will affect your ability to get pregnant. Also, when you do get pregnant, there are other challenges associated with a PCOS pregnancy. Here are a few things you should consider and discuss with your doctor:

• Miscarriage
• High blood pressure due to pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes
• Premature Birth

In some situations, the risk of the above mentioned challenges is greater than usual. Therefore, it is important to see your doctor before you attempt to conceive. Your doctor will give you a thorough examination and let you know if it is safe.

Adapt to a Healthy Lifestyle

Before you even go see your doctor, you can start by making a few changes to your lifestyle. First and foremost, you and your partner should start exercising. Exercise helps in curbing PCOS symptoms and will enhance your overall health. Exercising together will ensure your partner is in perfect health before you attempt to get pregnant.

Start Eating Healthy

You will also need to make a few changes to your diet. Divide your meals into five portions. Avoid eating too much at once. You should eat in small portions and five times a day. Your diet should include fibers, lean protein, and healthy fat. You should knock carbs out of your diet altogether, if possible.

Consuming carbs can cause your body to develop an insulin resistance. This is a common symptom in PCOS and causes you to gain weight. Eliminating carbs from your diet will help you manage your insulin levels. You should also limit the consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Speak to your doctor about vitamin supplements, which will help you improve your health further.

Stress Management

Your diet is not the only thing you need to control. Remember that stress can elevate the symptoms of PCOS. In addition to this, stress also hinders your ability to conceive. Therefore, it is important to manage your stress levels. Exercising will help with stress management. But you should also consider yoga, meditation, and other methods of managing your stress levels.

Don’t Give Up!

Getting pregnant with PCOS can be a challenge. But if you get checkups regularly and adapt to a healthy lifestyle, you should be able to conceive. Of course, you should continue the healthy changes you made to your life even after you become pregnant. If you are unsure of what changes you need to make to your lifestyle, consult a doctor, as he/she should be able to guide you on the correct PCOS diet and lifestyle.