Getting pregnant despite PCOS – what really helps
Polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS for short, is the most common hormonal disorder worldwide – in Germany alone, around 1 million women are affected. They struggle...
Von: Anne Alexander
Polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS for short, is the most common hormonal disorder worldwide – in Germany alone, around 1 million women are affected. They struggle with irregular cycles, delayed or absent ovulation and worry whether they will ever be able to get pregnant. The good news: even with PCOS, a natural pregnancy is often possible. Here you’ll learn what really matters and what, in our experience, can help you get pregnant despite PCOS.
The essentials in a nutshell – getting pregnant despite PCOS
- Getting pregnant with PCOS works only with the right cycle tracking – identify ovulation even with long or irregular cycles.
- Medical support for PCOS and trying to conceive – a clear diagnosis, an individualized treatment plan and, if needed, support for egg maturation.
- Adjust your lifestyle: nutrition, exercise & stress management – to rebalance your hormones and increase the chance of a natural pregnancy.
- Have your thyroid checked – dysfunction is common with PCOS and can make trying to conceive even harder.
Understanding PCOS – causes and symptoms
PCOS is caused by a complex hormonal imbalance. Androgens, i.e., male hormones, are often elevated.
Other symptoms of PCOS
- irregular and/or long cycles
- very late ovulation or no ovulation
- acne, hair loss, excessive hair growth in unusual places
- insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus
- significant psychological strain and more
The hormonal imbalance disrupts the delicate maturation process of the egg follicles, so that with PCOS many immature preliminary stages develop. They cannot mature further and cause the typical cyst-like changes in the ovaries. This can lead to significantly prolonged and/or irregular cycles and also to cycles without ovulation.
Cycle tracking with PCOS: How to identify your ovulation
If you have PCOS and want to get pregnant, it’s crucial to understand your cycle really well. The good news: even with PCOS, a natural pregnancy is possible in many cases. But it isn’t always easy to detect ovulation with PCOS—especially if your cycle is very long and your period comes only rarely. Even doctors can sometimes miss ovulation in an ultrasound in women with PCOS because it often happens much later in the cycle than in a typical cycle. Women with PCOS are therefore often referred to a fertility clinic too quickly.
But with the right cycle tracking, you know exactly what’s going on in your cycle. For this you can use OvulaRing. This modern method tracks precisely around the clock and is the only cycle tracker that makes your entire cycle visible—even with PCOS. At a glance you can see what your cycle looks like and whether and when you ovulate. That way you can make better use of time together and get pregnant naturally despite PCOS. By the way: OvulaRing is the only cycle tracker that has been validated for all cycle types, including extremely irregular cycles and PCOS. Discover personal trying-to-conceive stories with PCOS here:
Early medical support
Medical support to confirm a PCOS diagnosis based on the so-called Rotterdam criteria and to discuss treatment options together is recommended. Ask for advice on whether, for example, medication to support egg maturation could be appropriate or what natural treatment options are available. In the following, we focus in particular on holistic approaches that can alleviate your PCOS symptoms.
PCOS and trying to conceive: nutrition, exercise, stress
With a few everyday changes, many PCOS symptoms can be eased naturally and you can get pregnant sooner. Give it a try—and ideally get guidance from a hormone coach who specializes in PCOS. This can help you get many symptoms, often also irregular and long cycles or cycles without ovulation, “under control” so you can conceive naturally.
Your nutrition with PCOS
A diet tailored to PCOS is especially recommended: focus mainly on gluten- and dairy-free foods and avoid sugar. PCOS is an inflammatory state in the body and is often associated with insulin resistance. Avoiding gluten-containing foods can help counter inflammatory processes in the body. A dairy-free diet can also support a healthy lifestyle with PCOS, because high dairy intake may increase insulin secretion and insulin resistance.
The right workout for PCOS and trying to conceive
A mindful training routine tailored to PCOS is essential if you want to ease your symptoms and get pregnant—this also applies to lean women. With PCOS, it’s better to train in moderation and avoid very high-intensity workouts. They are pure stress for your body and, through increased release of stress hormones, can even worsen your symptoms. Gentler training with light weights keeps your hormones balanced while you lose weight at the same time. Even a 5% weight loss can reduce androgens and insulin and lead to more ovulatory cycles. This increases your chances of getting pregnant.
Your stress level – why you should lower it
In general, if you’re trying to conceive it’s advisable to reduce stress as much as possible. If you have PCOS, it’s even more important to avoid stress. Too much stress can, for example, lead to adrenal-induced PCOS. This is a PCOS type in which the syndrome is driven mainly by an increased stress response. When the adrenal glands are overstimulated by stress, the simultaneous release of male hormones can be boosted—a vicious circle. So prioritize relaxation: for example, walks in nature, meditation and gentle yoga. These activities reduce the release of stress hormones and can ease your symptoms. This way you can bring your hormones back into balance and get pregnant sooner. Learn here which other PCOS types exist:
PCOS and the thyroid – why testing is so important
Studies show that women with PCOS are significantly more likely to have a thyroid condition than women without PCOS. Over time, thyroid dysfunction can develop into an overactive or underactive thyroid and further exacerbate PCOS symptoms. An underactive thyroid is particularly common with PCOS, often in the form of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Depending on the study, definition and population, around 20–30% of affected women are impacted.
That’s why, if you have PCOS and are trying to conceive, it’s important to have your thyroid checked regularly and—if necessary—to optimize your levels with medication. Thyroid dysfunction not only affects metabolism; it can also significantly reduce the chances of pregnancy.
Conclusion: Getting pregnant despite PCOS – it is possible
Even if PCOS initially seems like a major obstacle, there are many ways to improve your chances of a natural pregnancy. What matters is a solid understanding of your cycle, the right cycle tracking, good medical support and a healthy lifestyle. Also don’t forget to have your thyroid checked regularly—it plays an important role in fertility and hormonal balance.
With the right measures, you can get pregnant despite PCOS and fulfill your wish to have a baby. Don’t get discouraged: every woman with PCOS has her own individual path. Modern methods like OvulaRing help you reliably identify your fertile days and increase your chances of a natural pregnancy.
References
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Ulrich J et al. 2018. Impact of Autoimmune Thyroiditis on Reproductive and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. doi:10.1055/s-0043-110480
Deutsches GesundheitsPortal. Link between PCOS and thyroid diseases confirmed. https://www.deutschesgesundheitsportal.de/2018/05/14/zusammenhang-zwischen-pco-syndrom-und-schilddruesenerkrankungen-bestaetigt/
Glintborg D et al. 2019. Increased risk of thyroid disease in Danish women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a cohort study. Eur J Endocrinol.;180(1):13-21.
International Evidence-based Guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. 2023. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Kim C.-H., Lee S.-H. 2022. Effectiveness of Lifestyle Modification in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients with Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020308
Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod. 2004 Jan;19(1):41-7. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deh098
Romitti M et al. 2028. Association between PCOS and autoimmune thyroid disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocr Connect. 26;7(11):1158-1167. PMID: 30352422; PMCID: PMC6215798. DOI: 10.1530/EC-18-0309
Xiao Jie Hu et al. 2022. Correlation between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. In: Front. Endocrinol.
