PCOS Syndrome

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is the leading hormonal dysfunction in young women, affecting between 5-25% of all women.

Women typically report irregular, infrequent periods, an increase in body hair, and an increase in skin blemishes. However, not all symptoms may be present at one time. Enlarged, “polycystic” ovaries are typically visible on ultrasound.

Reduced menstrual bleeding is due to due delayed or more difficult egg cell maturation. This lengthens the time needed to produce a mature oocyte, which in turn extends the length of the menstrual cycle. All of this complicates the chance of getting pregnant, as ovulation is less frequent.

Lifestyle and nutrition are closely linked to PCOS. For example, women with increased body weight are more frequently affected by PCOS, and a change in lifestyle can have a positive influence on PCOS in women who are overweight. The first step in fertility treatment for women with PCOS is supporting the maturation of the egg cell, and therefore increasing the chance of spontaneous conception.

This can be achieved in one of two ways: either with medications such as Metformin or Inositol, or through mild stimulation using tablets or FSH. Should other factors also contribute to the cause of infertility, such as an inadequate sperm analysis result from the male partner or due to obstructed fallopian tubes, then artificial reproductive methods may be necessary. At the Wunschbaby Institute Feichtinger, specially developed hormones treatments are used to stimulate oocytes in women with PCOS.