How to Improve Egg Quality and Fertility with PCOS

Understanding PCOS and Fertility

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects roughly 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It occurs when a woman's ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal. The exact cause is unknown, but research suggests it involves genetics, insulin resistance, inflammation and abnormal fetal development.

PCOS causes a number of symptoms like irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, weight gain and fertility problems. It can prevent women from ovulating regularly and making enough progesterone after ovulation. This makes it harder to get pregnant and increases the risk of miscarriage.

How PCOS Impacts Egg Quality

Egg quality refers to whether an egg is genetically normal and capable of being fertilized and implanted successfully. As women age, egg quality declines. But in women with PCOS, eggs often mature irregularly and tend to be poorer quality overall.

This happens because imbalances in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and extra male hormones interfere with the growth and release of eggs from ovarian follicles. The follicles either fail to mature an egg, or the egg is abnormal and doesn't work properly.

Getting Pregnant with PCOS

Despite these challenges, many women with PCOS do get pregnant and have healthy babies. The key is managing PCOS symptoms and using fertility treatments when needed to help improve your chances.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Egg Quality

Making healthy lifestyle changes is the first line of treatment for improving fertility with PCOS. Losing excess weight, eating a PCOS-friendly diet and exercising regularly can help balance hormones, resume ovulation and protect egg quality.

Lose Excess Weight

Carrying extra weight worsens PCOS symptoms and makes conception harder. Fortunately, losing just 5-10% of your body weight can restart ovulation, improve egg quality and double your chances of getting pregnant.

Aim to lose weight slowly through diet and exercise. Very low calorie diets and rapid weight loss stresses the body and can further disrupt your cycle.

Follow a PCOS Diet

There is no specific "PCOS diet", but choosing foods that help manage insulin and testosterone levels is recommended. Follow a balanced diet focused on lean protein, complex carbs, healthy fats and micronutrients.

Limit refined carbs and sugars which spike blood sugar and may increase testosterone and worsen symptoms. Get plenty of fiber, anti-inflammatory foods and antioxidants to improve insulin sensitivity.

Exercise Regularly

Getting regular physical activity improves insulin sensitivity, helps normalize ovulation and protects egg quality. Aim for 30-60 minutes per day to see results.

Mix aerobic exercise and strength training which both benefit fertility. Yoga and pilates can also help reduce stress levels.

Medical Treatments to Improve Fertility With PCOS

In addition to lifestyle measures, several medications and procedures can also improve egg quality and chances of conception for women with PCOS trying to get pregnant.

Metformin

Metformin is a medication that helps improve insulin sensitivity and lowers excess testosterone levels. This helps regulate ovulation and menstruation as well as improve egg quality.

It’s often one of the first fertility medications prescribed to women with PCOS. When combined with changes to diet and activity levels, metformin can restore ovulation and increase pregnancy rates.

Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)

Clomiphene citrate, also known as Clomid, is an oral medication that induces ovulation. It works by stimulating the ovaries to grow and release an egg each month. It does not improve egg quality itself, but can help you ovulate a healthy egg.

Clomid is often used together with metformin to encourage ovulation and correct irregular menstrual cycles in women with PCOS. It can be taken for several cycles to improve chances of conception.

Letrozole (Femara)

Letrozole is another drug used for ovulation induction in women with PCOS. Recent research suggests it results in higher live birth rates compared to Clomid and causes fewer side effects like thinner endometrial lining.

Letrozole encourages ovulation through lowering estrogen levels temporarily. This signals the body to produce more FSH to stimulate follicle growth and egg maturation.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) can often overcome fertility issues related to poor egg quality in women with PCOS. It involves retrieving mature eggs from ovaries, fertilizing them in a lab with sperm, then transferring the embryos into the uterus.

Sometimes IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used, where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to achieve fertilization. Frozen embryo transfers may later be performed if pregnancy doesn't occur on the first try.

The Bottom Line

Managing PCOS through weight loss, dietary changes, exercise, and certain medications can regulate ovulation and improve egg quality naturally. Assisted reproductive techniques like IVF can also help women with PCOS successfully achieve pregnancy.

Work closely with your doctor to find the right treatment plan for your needs. It may take some time to regulate ovulation and conceive. But supporting healthy eggs will maximize your chances of getting pregnant with PCOS.

FAQs

What is the best diet to improve egg quality with PCOS?

The best PCOS diet focuses on complex carbs, lean protein, healthy fats and micronutrients. Limit sugar and refined carbs which can worsen symptoms. Eat foods that help manage insulin and testosterone levels to support ovulation.

How much weight do I need to lose to improve fertility with PCOS?

Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can help restart ovulation and improve egg quality. Aim for slow, steady weight loss through diet and exercise instead of crash dieting which causes more hormonal disruption.

How long does it take metformin to improve egg quality?

It can take 2-3 months for metformin to help regulate ovulation and menstruation. It lowers testosterone and improves insulin sensitivity, both of which support better egg quality. Continue taking it for at least a few cycles to see full effects.

When should I consider IVF if I have PCOS?

Try lifestyle changes and oral medications like metformin and Clomid for 6 months to 1 year before considering IVF. Some women need IVF to achieve pregnancy with PCOS as it can overcome egg quality issues. Discuss options with your doctor to decide what's right for you.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.

How to Improve Egg Quality and Fertility with PCOS | Tips and Treatments