What Women Need to Know

PCOS: The bigger picture

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects how your ovaries work. It typically involves irregular periods due to infrequent ovulation, higher levels of the ‘male’ hormones (androgens), which cause acne or excess hair growth, and ovaries that appear enlarged with many small, fluid-filled sacs containing immature eggs.¹

As PCOS can interfere with regular ovulation, it has a direct impact on fertility, something every woman should understand when thinking about future pregnancy plans.²

Impact on fertility

• Many women only realise they have the condition when they experience difficulty becoming pregnant²
• In a typical menstrual cycle, the ovaries release an egg each month; this process is called ovulation. However, with PCOS, ovulation may not happen regularly or may not happen at all²
• As a result, periods can be irregular or absent, making it more difficult to conceive²
• The link between ovulation and fertility is important to recognise, as the right treatment options can help restore ovulation and improve your chances of conceiving³

Supporting fertility with PCOS

Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatment options to improve fertility with PCOS. These include:³

• Lifestyle changes: For many women, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Losing even a modest amount of weight (if you are overweight) can help restore ovulation, regulate periods and improve the chances of pregnancy. Healthy eating, regular physical activity and weight management are often the first steps recommended
• Medications: You may be prescribed medicines to help stimulate ovulation and improve your chances of conceiving. Medications are commonly used and can be very effective
• Fertility support options: If pregnancy does not occur with other treatments, assisted options such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may be recommended. IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs, collecting them, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory and then placing a healthy embryo (fertilised egg) back into the womb. IVF can increase the chances of pregnancy for women with PCOS, especially if ovulation treatment has not been successful

Other second-line options include ovarian drilling, a minor surgical procedure that may help restore ovulation in women with PCOS.³

PCOS can make your reproductive health journey more challenging, but it does not mean your personal goals are out of reach. With the right support and a personalised treatment plan, you can manage your symptoms confidently and make choices that suit you at every stage of life.

তথ্যসূত্র:

1. PCOS overview. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/. Accessed on: 12 February 2026.
2. symptoms. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/symptoms/. Accessed on: 12 February 2026.
3. Treatment for infertility resulting from PCOS. Available from: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pcos/conditioninfo/treatments/infertility. Accessed on: 12 February 2026.