PCOS and Fertility

While being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) MAY impact your fertility - the underlying hormonal imbalances are mostly manageable. While PCOS is ASSOCIATED with infertility - that doesn’t mean it will be your experience, especially if you work on improving the underlying hormonal imbalances.

I recently attended a seminar where the Professor who is involved in PCOS research described the possible issues with fertiity as a ‘road block’ or the process getting stuck at one point in the chain of events. Meaning your body is capable of fertility, it may just need a bit of help to get there!

While medications such as Metformin and Hormonal birth control may help manage symptoms and synthetically alter hormone levels - they are not resolving the issue - just masking it. This is why working with a qualified Naturopath can help you balance your hormones naturally and in a more lasting way - by resolving the root causes and therefore improving symptoms for the long term.

Balancing your hormones through natural methods such as specific quality supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes can improve symptoms, promote monthly ovulation and enhance fertility. Working on resolving these hormonal imbalances before you conceive is important, as they can impact the health of your child along with increasing the risk of pregnancy and birth complications.

The main driver of PCOS is insulin resistance which in many cases is a direct result of dietary and lifestyle factors such as food choices, stress, sedentary lifestyle and exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals found in plastics, pesticides and fragrances. Therefore you have a huge impact on improving insulin resistance by working on these daily habits and exposures. You can read more here on food choices and improving insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance also contributes to the increased androgen/testosterone level seen in PCOS women (and subsequent hair growth), as well as increasing your risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth) and impaired fetal development. Your child would also have a higher risk of developing diabetes and obesity during their lifetime.

This is why preconception care for any couple for at least 3-6 months is a great idea! The healthier the egg and sperm at conception the healthier your child - not just at birth but also throughout their lifetime!

As you can see we have a huge impact on the balance of our hormones and there’s much we can do to restore balance, enhance fertility and optimise the health of future generations.

If you are concerned about fertility in regards to PCOS or other hormonal imbalances, I’d love to help you.

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

PCOS Treatment

If you are one of the many women diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) you may have been prescribed the Pill and Metformin.  Unfortunately these medications will not resolve the underlying hormonal imbalances, even if they do help mask some of your symptoms.  

PCOS is commonly associated with increased testosterone and insulin resistance.  These imbalances contribute to acne, male pattern hair growth, weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, reduced or no ovulation and infertility. The symptoms experienced can differ between women.

Fortunately there are other effective treatment options that will help support healthy hormone balance, resolve symptoms and support optimal ovulation and fertility.  

• Herbs including Paeonia, Licorice, Cinnamon and the herbal compound Berberine can help support hormone balance, ovarian function and improve insulin sensitivity.

• Inositol may help reduce elevated testosterone and acne.

• Zinc is vital for healthy ovulation and hormone balance and also helps to reduce acne and heal skin. Facial hair growth may be related to the conversion of excess testosterone to dihydrotestosterone - and zinc helps to reduce this conversion.

• Magnesium deficiency has been associated with insulin resistance and studies show that supplementing with magnesium can improve insulin sensitivity. There are also added benefits from taking magnesium such as calming your nervous system, improving sleep and reducing cramps and headaches.

• Reducing sugar consumption is imperative - focus on eating a variety of vegetables with adequate protein and healthy fats. What you eat everyday will have the biggest impact on your blood sugar, insulin levels and hormone health.

• Liver support is also important when correcting hormonal imbalances as it plays a large role in hormone metabolism. Herbs such as St Mary's Thistle are great for this, and you can also include cruciferous vegetables, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, onions and garlic in your diet to support liver function.

• Chemicals in pesticides, plastics, body care products and cleaning products also disrupt hormones so avoiding these as much as possible is a great idea for hormone and overall health! There are many natural alternatives available so it can be as simple as switching products next time you need to replace something.

• Lastly working on stress management and supporting healthy gut function will also support healthy hormone balance and allow your body to clear excess hormones.

While these are the most common imbalances and treatment of PCOS, every woman is different and may have different contributing factors or influences.  Saliva testing is a great way to assess hormone levels and help determine the best treatment for you.

If you would like more personalised support in restoring hormone balance I'd love to help you.

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.