Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Doesn't Prevent Being a Mother

Acıbadem International Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Murat Arslan gave information about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

One of the obstacles faced by women who plan to become a mother but have problems is 'Polycystic Ovary Syndrome'. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is common in women of reproductive age, is defined as a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic ovulation disorder and increased male hormone levels and/or effects. This syndrome, the incidence of which varies between 12-20% in our country, usually signals with the absence of menstruation or menstrual irregularities. Acıbadem International Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Murat Arslan pointed out that patients who have problems in conceiving due to the disruption of the ovulation cycle can have children by regulating their living habits, using drugs and assisted reproductive techniques in case of need. The fact that they are in constant communication with their doctors from different branches will put them on an equal footing with other women who do not have this syndrome in terms of being a mother.”

Disrupts the ovulation cycle

The monthly ovulation cycle is disrupted in a significant part of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. So much so that normally women ovulate 12-13 times a year, whereas women with PCOS ovulate less in the same period. prof. Dr. Murat Arslan pointed out that for this reason, women with polycystic ovary syndrome are less likely to become pregnant and said, “Even if they can get pregnant, the risk of early miscarriage is almost doubled compared to normal women. Therefore, their chances of having children decrease. However, having the problem of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome does not mean that you cannot be a mother for sure. While patients can become pregnant naturally, almost all of the remaining patients can have children with the right follow-up and treatment.

Lifestyle change is very important

The main purpose of treatment in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Correcting the metabolism as much as possible due to the imbalances created by the metabolic changes. Lifestyle changes are of great importance in the treatment of this syndrome, because patients can enter the ovulation cycle without even the need for drug treatment. prof. Dr. Murat Arslan said, “The common feature of a significant portion of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is that they are overweight. However, there are women who experience this syndrome despite their weakness. The main problem is that these patients have glucose intolerance, so the insulin level in the body rises. When glucose cannot be taken into the cell enough, insulin rises and accordingly, when the androgen level in the ovary region rises, the ovulation cycle is disrupted. In the vast majority of these patients, their ovulation cycle can be restored even when they lose 5 percent of their body weight. At this point, in addition to a healthy diet, regular exercise is also of great importance.

First-line drug therapy

In vitro fertilization is often not the first choice for patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome who have difficulty in conceiving naturally. Previously, efforts are being made to ovulate with simpler methods such as changing life habits and drug therapy. For example, in patients with insulin resistance, drugs that increase sensitivity to insulin can cause ovulation to come back even alone. prof. Dr. Murat Arslan stated that in patients who do not respond to this method, drugs that provide ovulation and are taken orally are applied, and said, "With these drugs used on certain days of the menstrual cycle, ovulation problem can be eliminated in a significant part of the patients." Pointing out that egg development can be achieved with subcutaneous injections in patients who do not respond to drug treatment, Prof. Dr. Murat Arslan said, “While using these drugs, the growth of egg cysts, which we call follicles, is monitored at regular intervals and excessive egg development is avoided. In these patients, who start with very low doses and gradually increase the dose, ovulation can sometimes take weeks.”

Pregnancy is possible with IVF

Vaccination or IVF treatment can be started in patients who need a very long time to ovulate, or on the contrary, who respond to drugs with excessive egg development or who cannot become pregnant despite ovulation. Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Murat Arslan stated that today very successful results have been obtained from the in vitro fertilization method and said:

“After collecting the eggs, we fertilize them with sperm and ensure the formation of embryos. We do not transfer these embryos immediately, but freeze them. After the ovaries shrink during the period until the patient's menstruation, we prepare the uterus properly and transfer the frozen embryos by thawing them. In this way, IVF treatment takes a little longer, but it is essential for patient health and safety. Pointing out that freezing and thawing embryos does not reduce the chances of success for the couples, Prof. Dr. Murat Arslan, "On the contrary, thanks to the transfer after the uterus is prepared in a more natural way, the chance of embryos to adhere is higher with this method, which we call frozen embryo transfer."

Watch out for excessive egg development!

In the IVF method, some patients may respond more than desired to the treatment applied. "Therefore, the most important point to be considered in this treatment is to prevent the picture that may develop due to excessive stimulation of the ovaries," warned Prof. Dr. Murat Arslan continued his words as follows:

“Otherwise, multiple pregnancies such as triplets, quadruplets or even quintuplets may occur in women with excessive egg development. Such pregnancies often end in miscarriage. Even if it is ensured that the expectant mother can become pregnant with tube treatment, there is a failure in returning home with the child.”