When it comes to female infertility, one of the most common causes is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can prevent women from ovulating. The good news is that there are ways to spur ovulation in women with PCOS, and achieve a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Dr. Jackie Gutmann, a reproductive endocrinologist at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania, see patients with PCOS and helps them start their families. She answered some of our questions about PCOS.

What is PCOS?
Reproductive hormones are abnormally regulated in women with PCOS. In a perfect world, the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries all work together each month to grow follicles, stimulate one of them and release one egg from that stimulated follicle. In women with PCOS, several follicles are stimulated but none mature enough to ovulate, so there is no release of an egg and no chance to get pregnant.

Why do some women get PCOS and others don’t?
We know genetics play a large role in who develops PCOS – first degree relatives of women with PCOS (mothers and sisters) have up to a 30-50 percent chance of developing the condition. There are also others theories about the cause of PCOS, such as the effect of the in-utero environment on the risk of developing PCOS later in life.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

• Irregular periods or a loss of menstruation entirely
• Acne and abnormal hair growth (on the face, chest, or abdomen)
• Obesity, difficulty losing or maintaining weight, and type 2 diabetes
• Infertility
• Anxiety, depression and eating disorders

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Because irregular cycles are a common symptom of PCOS, a doctor will ask about a woman’s menstrual cycle history and look for symptoms like acne, hair growth or difficulty losing weight. During a physical exam, the woman’s vital signs, including height, weight and a calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI) are important to determine. A transvaginal ultrasound will help doctors see whether the patient has ovarian features of PCOS. Then, the doctor will take blood tests to examine her levels of FSH, LH, estrogen, testosterone, AMH and to screen for insulin resistance.

How is PCOS treated in women who want to conceive?

The first line of treatment for women with PCOS is lifestyle modification. Modest weight loss and increase in lean muscle mass can have huge impacts on the abnormal hormone regulation seen in women with PCOS. For many women trying to conceive, medications are needed. The goal of treatment is to correct ovulation. A woman may be prescribed Clomid, an ovulation inducing medication that indirectly promotes the production of FSH and the growth and release of a mature egg. Another medication commonly used to induce ovulation in women with PCOS is Letrozole. After ovulation is induced with Clomid or Letrozole, the doctor may recommend timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI). In vitro fertilization (IVF) is another excellent treatment for women with PCOS and has superior success rates.