| Becoming a mother is something that millions of | | | | chance of multiple births. You must take into |
| women strive for each year but according to the U.S. | | | | consideration this risk as well as other potential risks |
| Department of Health and Human Services, about ten | | | | to your health prior to deciding upon treatment |
| percent of women have troubling getting pregnant | | | | options. |
| due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a | | | | A little more invasive procedure to help stimulate |
| health issue that makes it difficult for woman to | | | | ovulation is what is called "ovulation drilling." This is |
| menstruate regularly, affects the ability to have | | | | typically used with a woman does not respond to |
| children, affects hormones, the heart, blood vessels, | | | | fertility drugs. According to the Department of Health |
| and can influence your appearance. However, just | | | | and Human Services' Office on Women's Health, "the |
| because you are diagnosed with PCOS, it does not | | | | doctor punctures the ovary with a small needle |
| mean you cannot have children. | | | | carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion |
| Unfortunately, the causes of PCOS are still unknown | | | | of the ovary. This procedure carries a risk of |
| but most in the medical community believe that there | | | | developing scar tissue on the ovary. This surgery can |
| is more than one factor that attributes to PCOS. The | | | | lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. |
| first being your family background. Women who do | | | | But these effects may only last a few months." If |
| have PCOS also has a family member, usually a sister | | | | this sounds too invasive, another option is to change |
| or mother, that also has it. Insulin is also commonly | | | | your lifestyle. |
| cited as a factor since women who have PCOS | | | | A lifestyle change may not be what you want to |
| typically have problems processing insulin. Having too | | | | hear but this is something you will want to do |
| much insulin leads to an increase in your body's | | | | anyway should you become pregnant. Most |
| production of androgen. A high level of androgen can | | | | researchers agree that keeping a healthy weight by |
| lead to weight gain, acne, hair growth, and can cause | | | | eating properly and regularly exercising is a great way |
| problems with ovulation. | | | | to manage PCOS. Try to eat fewer processed foods |
| Though the causes of PCOS may be unknown, it can | | | | and more whole grains, leafy green vegetables, fruits, |
| be managed and with this management is your hope | | | | and lean meats. If you are a smoker, you should quit. |
| to get pregnant. If you are having problems with | | | | Again, all of these things should be done once you |
| ovulation, fertility drugs are usually the first method | | | | get pregnant anyway so if you would like to get |
| used to get pregnant. These drugs help stimulate | | | | pregnant but you have PCOS, there is nothing to lose |
| ovulation but it is a good idea to make sure with | | | | with this method. No one will stop you from living a |
| your doctor that there are no other causes of | | | | healthy lifestyle even if you decide to use fertility |
| infertility. Also, a risk to taking fertility drugs is the | | | | drugs or pursue other fertility options. |