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PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive problem. As many as 1 in 20 women of child-bearing age may have PCOS. It appears that women with this problem do not experience normal monthly fluctuations in hormone levels. The ovaries may start to grow an egg, but all the hormones are not balanced correctly to let the egg mature. Instead it may stop growing, or become a cyst. Either way, ovulation stops. The ovaries of a woman with PCOS consistently fail to produce eggs. The cause of the problem is unknown. Researchers are looking for genetic links, since PCOS seems … Continue reading →

Surprise Babies: Heather’s Story

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This month I’m talking about surprise babies. I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you the story of one special little girl named Lillian Rose, who surprised her parents and their family with her miraculous debut. Her story begins long before she was born in 2002, when Heather and Jeremy met while working together at a local tool store. The high school sweethearts started dating two years later. On August 6, 2006, they tied the knot. About three months after they got married, they decided to start a family, but it wasn’t long before Heather realized things weren’t going to … Continue reading →

Fertility Drugs: Metaformin

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately seven percent of women. Women with PCOS tend to have numerous small cysts in the ovaries, irregular or absent menstrual cycles and high levels of male hormones, known as androgens. This is responsible for the excessive hair growth experienced by many women with PCOS. Women with PCOS typically have difficulty in conceiving. Traditionally, drugs such as Clomid or injections of gonadotropins have been used to induce ovulation in women with PCOS. A newer medication used to treat this condition is metaformin. Metaformin is a medicine that has been used for years to help control … Continue reading →

Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery

According to the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, approximately 100,000 women undergo surgery each year. Some of these women will go on to conceive and have healthy pregnancies. If you have had, or are considering weight loss surgery, there are a few things you should know. Most doctors recommend waiting at least 18 months after surgery before getting pregnant. This allows time for your weight to stabilize after the surgery. Getting pregnant too soon can result in malnutrition of the fetus, which is a serious complication. If you have had fertility issues that are related to weight, you may … Continue reading →

Hypothyroidism and Trying to Conceive

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid is under active. The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It is responsible for secreting hormones that help control metabolism. In some cases, the menstrual cycle and ovulation can be affected by untreated hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue and weight gain. In some cases, the thyroid can interfere with ovulation. You may not be ovulating regularly if you have hypothyroidism and aren’t getting pregnant. If you have irregular cycles, this is another warning sign. In addition to affecting ovulation, hypothyroidism can cause problems later in the cycle. Some women with this … Continue reading →

PCOS and Breastfeeding

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I have written before about how it is extremely rare that a woman has a medical condition that prevents her from producing enough milk. PCOS, however, is one such condition that is consistently associated with low supply. Just because you may have PCOS, doesn’t mean you won’t have enough milk for your baby though. Low supply may be unavoidable when a mother has PCOS, but here are some things you can do to try to prevent the problem or work with it. How Does PCOS Affect Breastfeeding? It is known that PCOS patients are deficient in progesterone. Progesterone plays a … Continue reading →

The Effect of Weight on Fertility

Your weight can have an impact on your fertility. Both overweight and underweight women suffer from irregular periods and a lack of ovulation. If you suspect this problem, see your doctor for an evaluation. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to calculate the individual woman’s weight and height to determine if she has a weight issue that may interfere with fertility. Being significantly overweight can have a negative impact on your menstrual cycle. Obesity is a factor in a common infertility problem known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS don’t ovulate regularly and tend to have very … Continue reading →