Women who have a chronic health condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have concerns about whether they can become pregnant.

When you have PCOS, your ovaries are larger than normal. These bigger ovaries can have many tiny cysts that contain immature eggs.

It’s important to get PCOS diagnosed, not only to address any fertility issues you might be having but to avoid other long-term consequences of PCOS as well. It can have lifelong health implications like metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and possibly cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer.

If you have tried for a baby for 12 months without success (or six months if you are aged 35 or over) it’s time to seek medical advice. Your doctor is your first port of call, but he might refer you to a fertility specialist

If you have very irregular or only sporadic periods, this is an indication you are not ovulating and need medical help to have a baby. The first line of medical treatment is ovulation induction. This involves a course of tablets or injections to stimulate the ovaries to release an egg that can be fertilized, either during intercourse or through intra-uterine insemination (IUI).

If this doesn’t work, there may be other reasons why pregnancy can’t be achieved and more invasive treatments such as IVF may be needed.

PCOS, can be successfully managed and women with PCOS can definitely still get pregnant, here are a few things to try:

– Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly: Women with PCOS need to regulate ovulation, and in many cases, that can be done with diet and exercise. Diet is so crucial in managing your PCOS and boosting your fertility. In fact, it is the most effective way of boosting fertility in women with PCOS. changing your diet will not only help with your PCOS and fertility, but it will also provide amazing nutrition for your baby when you do get pregnant.

– Consider medication: If adjusting your diet and exercise habits have been unsuccessful, your doctor may suggest medication to help with PCOS.

-Track your ovulation: Now, if you’re still taking the birth control pill, you’re not ovulating anyway. But, once you have stopped taking the pill, it would be helpful to start tracking your ovulation.

– Don’t put off having kids: That is if you’re ready to have children, don’t wait. Women with PCOS who are not ready to have children by the time they’re 35 may want to consider freezing their eggs.