Ebendorferstraße 6/4, 1010 Vienna, phone +43 (0)1 402 53 41

Pregnant despite PCO syndrome

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WE HAVE HELPED MANY WOMEN WITH PCO SYNDROME TO BECOME PREGNANT.

Do you want a child but your hormone balance is disturbed? Do you suffer from PCO syndrome (polycystic ovary syndrome) and are not getting pregnant because of it? Do you suspect PCO syndrome because of your disturbed menstrual cycle, heavy menstrual cramps, intense body hair and oily skin? Are you looking for a way to still have a child?

Dr. Brunbauer, YOUR PCOS EXPERT IN VIENNA

OVERVIEW PCO SYNDROME

On this page you will find everything you need to know about PCO syndrome and the desire to have children.

Arrange a non-binding appointment – we will then clarify in detail exactly why you are not getting pregnant. We will give you comprehensive advice on PCO syndrome (PCOS), show you therapy options and open up your individual path to your desired child.

Your desire to have a child is our motivation:

  • In order to provide you with the best possible advice and treatment, we first take the time to get to know you and your partner.
  • The diagnostic clarification of your situation is carried out according to the latest international standards.
  • Based on the diagnostic results, we develop the ideal treatment concept for you and discuss it with you in detail.
  • Together we discuss the individual therapy steps, consider additional measures and answer your questions.
  • You as a person in your entirety are our focus. It is important to us that you feel comfortable and well-accompanied on your way to your desired child. The latest medical know-how and state-of-the-art equipment are just as much a matter of course as the offer of supporting measures such as psychological support, TCM or acupuncture treatments.
Arztzitat - Dr. Mathias Brunbauer

Dr. Maria Röthlisberger

Deputy medical director | SPC for gynecology and obstetrics | IVF expert | ÖGUM level II

"We advise and treat you sensitively and according to the latest scientific findings. Through our work we help you realize your desire to have a family."

5 to 10% of all women of childbearing age suffer from PCO syndrome. The exact causes of this disorder are unknown. Affected women experience an overproduction of androgens, male sex hormones, which disrupts the female cycle and causes a number of symptoms.

The classic symptoms of PCO or Stein-Leventhal syndrome are:

Irregular menstrual cycle

Severe menstrual cramps

Thick hair growth, also on the face

Skin problems: oily skin, acne

Weight problems, food cravings

Sleep disturbances

Reduced quality of life and high psychological stress due to the symptoms of the disease

However, since many of these complaints are also typical of other diseases, a precise medical clarification is important. The impairment of the hormone balance caused by the disease is particularly problematic for those who wish to have children.

 

3-Point diagnosis

We use three points to determine whether you have PCO syndrome:

  1. During an ultrasound examination, we check whether polycystic ovaries or other abnormalities, such as enlarged ovaries, are visible.
  2. With a blood test, we clarify your hormone balance and the relationship between male and female hormones.
  3. We determine whether you are not ovulating, and therefore whether you are not menstruating.

If two of these three points are present, you suffer from PCO syndrome. This usually also impacts the metabolism of those affected. Insulin resistance often develops. In addition, a porcelain layer forms around the ovary. Even if a dominant ovarian follicle is formed, it is prevented from bursting by this insulating layer. Egg and sperm cell cannot find each other - a natural pregnancy is then no longer possible.

 

PCO syndrome cannot be cured, but with targeted therapy the symptoms can be alleviated and secondary symptoms such as diabetes can be prevented. Treatment of the condition is especially important for women who want to have children, since pregnancy does not usually occur naturally. The good news is that with individual therapy, the wish for a child comes true for most women with PCO syndrome.

Depending on your personal situation, there are several treatment options available:

  • Nutritional supplements that promote ovulation.
  • Drug support, e.g. clomiphene, for ovulation.
  • Surgical treatment (ovarian drilling). This involves making stitches around the ovary during a laparoscopy to break through the porcelain layer. This reduces the number of excess eggs and promotes ovulation.
  • Artificial insemination. If the other treatment options are not successful, your desire to have a child can be achieved in this way. In this case, fertilization does not take place in the body but in our laboratory. We offer these types of artificial insemination: in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and P-ICSI (physiological ICSI).

It is important for women with PCO syndrome to have good medical support for therapy and fertility treatment. Contact us if you suffer from PCO syndrome. We will do everything we can to make pregnancy possible for you, too.

 

The chance of becoming pregnant in a woman with PCO syndrome is only slightly lower than in a woman who is not affected. However, the path to the desired child is usually more complex since the pregnancy is usually preceded by treatment of the disease or induced by artificial insemination. Nevertheless, PCOS patients have a good chance of becoming pregnant after fertility treatment.

Keeping a close eye on pregnancy

The fact that women should closely monitor the development of their pregnancy is especially true for PCO patients. They are more frequently affected by complications such as miscarriage, gestational diabetes or eclampsia (pregnancy poisoning). With careful medical support, however, the risk factors can be kept under control, so that an uncomplicated pregnancy is possible for many affected women.

We know how stressful PCO syndrome can be, especially when you long for a child. We are happy to use our experience with PCO patients to provide you with the best possible support and treatment during your childbearing years.

Come to one of our free information evenings or arrange a non-binding initial consultation and get an impression of us and our clinic. You are always welcome!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Just ask us.

We have compiled the most frequently asked questions for you. You can find more topics in our collected FAQs collected FAQs. If you have further questions on specific topics, we are happy to be there for you by phone ( +43 (0)1 402 53 41)!

Only a doctor can definitively determine this. Various examinations are necessary for this, such as a survey of your hormone status and a vaginal ultrasound. If you notice the typical symptoms of a PCO syndrome in yourself, go to a trusted doctor for diagnosis or come directly to us. PCO syndrome produces symptoms that are typical of other diseases. To be sure, a medical clarification is essential.

Women suffering from PCOS usually complain of an irregular menstrual cycle, severe menstrual cramps, intense body hair including on the face, obesity, oily skin or acne, and sleep disturbances

The exact cause is as yet unknown. Treatment of the disease is aimed at alleviating the symptoms and limiting secondary symptoms such as diabetes.

The disease often affects the body's sugar balance. As a result, insulin resistance can develop. It is therefore important to clarify quickly whether your complaints are caused by PCO syndrome and to initiate therapeutic measures.

Depending on the individual situation, various treatment options are available, for example: nutritional supplements, medication or surgery. If there is a desire to have children, this can be fulfilled by artificial insemination if the other therapies do not successfully lead to pregnancy.

Yes, the chances are even good. It is important that you take advantage of comprehensive medical support so that your therapy proceeds in a controlled manner and all risk factors are minimized as far as possible.

Pregnant PCO patients are more frequently affected by complications such as miscarriages, gestational diabetes or eclampsia (pregnancy poisoning). However, with careful medical support, you can keep these risk factors under control so that you can have the baby you want with as few complications as possible.