PCOS develops when the ovaries are stimulated to produce excessive amounts of male hormones (androgens), particularly testosterone. This hormone imbalance results from either excessive luteinising hormone (LH) released by the pituitary gland, or high levels of insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinemia). It causes cysts to develop on the ovaries which can inhibit ovulation and lead to fertility issues.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Irregular or absent menstrual cycles (oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea)
- Infertility from lack of ovulation (chronic anovulation) - without an egg, you can’t fall pregnant.
- Elevated male hormones (androgens) in the blood, causing excessive body hair (hirsutism) and occasionally masculinisation
- Weight gain around your midsection (central obesity)
Male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) - Acne and excessively oily skin (seborrhoea)
- Irritable, competitive mood tendencies
With the right assistance, PCOS is treatable, and pregnancy is possible. Here are six things you can do if you have PCOS and want to fall pregnant:
1. Hormone balance
It’s important to seek out a practitioner who is an expert in this area. To rebalance hormones naturally, you will generally require functional pathology testing to assess hormone levels, gut repair, natural hormone stimulating or detoxifying supplements, liver assistance for optimal sex hormone detoxification and proper diet advice. It may sound like a lot of work, but for someone who specialises in this area, it is common protocol and can take as little as four weeks to see a difference and have you pregnant.
2. Weight loss and exercise
For women suffering PCOS, a five to ten percent weight loss helps your body’s cells respond to the hormone insulin better and reduces inflammation. Resetting your insulin tolerance can be enough to allow you to fall pregnant, with the bonus of lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Being physically active, especially walking, yoga and strength training, also helps your body respond better to insulin. Consulting with a registered Nutritionist, Dietitian or Naturopath can assist.
3. Have a proper thyroid test
An impaired thyroid has been linked to sex hormone imbalances and affects everything from metabolism, temperature, energy levels, sleep and mood stability to gut health and hormone production. Request the full test including Free T3, Free T4, autoimmune markers and Reverse T3, as well as TSH readings. Some GPs will not have heard of these, or won’t request them if your TSH reading is in the normal range, and so your nutritionist should have access to a functional pathologist who will do these tests for a cost. A normal TSH reading may be false from an abnormal Reverse T3 reading - which we won’t know unless you have it tested!
An easy test you can do at home is a basal temperature test. Take your temperature first thing in the morning before getting out of bed for three to five consecutive days when you’re not menstruating. If your temperature readings are below 36.5 degrees, it is indicative of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism or sub-clinical hypothyroidism). Seek out a qualified practitioner to assist you back to optimum health, naturally.
4. Nutrient deficiencies
Iodine, selenium, Vitamin D, iron/ferritin, zinc can all play a part in both exacerbating PCOS and inhibiting ovulation and pregnancy. They may also play a role in miscarriage prevention, so it is important to be tested and supplemented as required.
5. Diet
If you’re eating a diet with refined carbs and sugars, you are literally feeding your PCOS condition. Sometimes a simple diet change resulting in weight loss or removing an intolerance causing inflammation is enough to assist someone with PCOS into falling pregnant. A Registered Nutritionist or an Accredited Practicing Dietitian can review your diet and tailor individual advice for your body.
6. Seek qualified advice
I can’t express more the need to seek out professional help from accredited health practitioners who specialise in this area. This way you will be on the right track from the start, ensuring optimum fertility and higher chances of conceiving naturally, sooner!
Pip Reed is a qualified, certified and registered Nutritionist and co-founder of www.thehealthclinic.com.au, Australia’s first online nutrition and health clinic. Pip has over ten years experience in the health and fitness industry and specialises in women’s health, weight loss, hormone imbalances, and healthy aging.
