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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is defined as having any two of the three symptoms: polycystic ovaries, irregular menstrual cycles, and elevated testosterone levels/excess body hair. PCOS affects fertility because regular ovulation does not occur.

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Symptoms of PCOS Include

  • Absence of periods 

  • Irregular periods 

  • Large ovaries with many follicles 

  • Excess body hair 

  • Acne or oily skin 

  • Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair 

  • Initial test - Transvaginal ultrasound to visualize the ovaries and possibly testosterone levels 

Treatment

  • Ovulation Induction 

  • Timed intercourse or IUI with Ovulation Induction 

  • IVF – The quickest route to pregnancy

Q&A

  • What is ovarian reserve?
    Ovarian reserve is the number of eggs left in the female. A woman makes all the eggs she will ever have before she is born, about 6 million eggs. Then at birth only 1 million is left because the eggs have already died. By puberty only 500,000 eggs are left. The egg count is constantly decreasing until menopause around age 52 when there are no more eggs left.
  • What are fallopian tubes?
    Fallopian tubes are where the sperm and the egg meet. If the tubes are blocked, the eggs are on one side and the sperm on the other side. They cannot meet and pregnancy cannot occur.
  • What is third party reproduction?
    Third party reproduction is when an outside person is involved to help build your family by either donating sperm, egg, or uterus to carry the pregnancy.
  • How long does fertility testing take?
    Basic fertility testing for the woman will take 2 visits over 7-10 days at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
  • Is fertility testing covered by insurance?
    Some, but not all insurance cover fertility testing.
  • Is it a painful process?
    Egg count testing is a vaginal ultrasound and blood draw. Patient’s experience minimal discomfort with both procedures. Uterine testing requires insertion of a catheter into the uterine cavity and the uterine cavity is distended with fluid. Insertion of the catheter and uterine distension can cause some cramping equivalent to menstrual cramping. Fallopian tube testing requires insertion of the catheter into the uterine cavity, distension of the uterus with fluid, then the filling and spilling of the fluid from the fallopian tubes. This procedure is usually quick with minimal pain if the fallopian tubes are open, but can also cause significant cramping and discomfort if the tubes are blocked.

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