Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) do not ovulate regularly and often have difficulty becoming pregnant. Although the medicine clomiphene (Clomid) is commonly used to stimulate ovulation, it doesn't work for some women with PCOS. This is because PCOS ovulation problems are linked to an imbalance of multiple body systems. Often other treatment measures can restore balance to the body's metabolism and hormone system, making ovulation medicine unnecessary (or more effective if it is used).
- Before considering medicine to stimulate ovulation, overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome are advised to lower their body mass index (BMI) with diet and exercise. Even a modest weight reduction can trigger ovulation in women with PCOS.1
- If weight loss does not help start ovulation, clomiphene is usually tried first, sometimes combined with a steroid.
- If clomiphene does not start ovulation, it may be combined with another medicine, such as metformin, to start ovulation. Combining the two treatments may make it more likely that clomiphene will trigger ovulation in women with PCOS.
- Women who do not ovulate with a combination of medicines are sometimes treated with gonadotropins, which are similar to the hormones the body produces to start ovulation. During this type of treatment, a woman must have daily monitoring of egg follicle development, using blood tests and ultrasound, to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
- If clomiphene does not work, your doctor may try a medicine called letrozole. Letrozole is thought to harm the fetus if it is used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about being sure you are not pregnant before taking this drug.
Laparoscopic ovarian surgery such as ovarian drilling (partial destruction of an ovary, which can trigger ovulation) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) are sometimes used for women with PCOS who have tried weight loss and fertility medicine, but still are not ovulating.1 For more information, see the topic Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 19, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
from
- 9 nastiest things in your supermarket
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
The iVillage Network