PCOS and Its Effect on Fertility: A Case Study
At the Fertility Wellness Institute of Ohio, we treat a wide range of patients, each of whom has unique goals, needs, and bodies. We believe that every patient has a story to tell and every time someone who sought fertility treatment shares their journey, it erodes the stigma surrounding fertility treatment and helps others going through the same struggles feel less alone.
Today, we will share a case study from a patient who was struggling with undiagnosed polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Her fertility treatment resulted in the successful birth of twins, but this is just one story. Everyone’s path will be different, even if their diagnosis is the same.
Keep reading to learn more about this patient’s experience with Dr. Chin and the Fertility Wellness Institute of Ohio!
Overcoming PCOS and Successful Pregnancy
PCOS is one of the most common reasons for fertility issues. Though the causes for this hormonal problem are still being studied, PCOS can cause women to stop ovulating and increase the levels of androgen in the bloodstream.
These issues stem from small cysts that grow on the ovaries. PCOS can be severe and cause other issues like dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, endometrioma, and irritable bowel syndrome, which can be very painful.
Some symptoms of PCOS can include:
- Acne breakout
- Growth of new body hair
- Problems in conceiving
- Oily skin
- Hair thinning on the head
In 2017, we had a patient and her husband come to us with unexplained fertility issues. Their OBGYN had told them that she did not have PCOS and that there was no apparent cause for her fertility issues.
From the first visit, Dr. Chin suspected that PCOS might be the cause of this patient’s fertility issues, as it is often overlooked if a woman does not display all the common symptoms. Our team took some time to become familiar with the couple and understand their goals.
We performed an ultrasound, and it was clear that this patient was dealing with PCOS. The patient and her husband were initially very anxious about the diagnosis because they had been previously assured that she did not have PCOS, only to discover that, yes, PCOS was the culprit all along.
This back-and-forth with medical diagnoses can be extremely alarming for patients. They are often unsure what to think if their diagnosis changes from doctor to doctor. After Dr. Chin explained the situation in greater detail, they were relieved to learn that they had a good chance of getting pregnant through timed intercourse.
After their first round of treatment, this couple got pregnant with twins! They were so excited, and we were excited for them! You could feel the joy radiating from them as they took pictures of the twins during the ultrasound.
Don’t take our word for it. Here is what she had to say:
He was very blunt and upfront about everything. I had been told by my OB that I didn't have PCOS and just unexplained infertility. The first visit he said right away to just get a quick ultrasound and right off the bat he knew it was PCOS. I felt anxious because I thought I didn't have it and now did, but he thoroughly explained everything and made me feel like we had definite potential to get pregnant. He was very accurate and calculated with figuring out what would work best for me and we got pregnant on our first try seeing him. My husband really liked him too. He allowed us to take pictures and video of our twins during the ultrasound.
We did an ultrasound and determined I had PCOS. I took metformin and started a low glycemic diet as people with PCOS have a higher risk of diabetes. We did a HSG flush test to see if the fallopian tubes were blocked. They weren't and we did ultrasounds to see follicles. I was given progesterone to start my period and then given femara to help me ovulate. We did an ultrasound to calculate ovulation and timed intercourse. I had blood work a week after I was supposed to ovulate to check progesterone levels. I found out I was pregnant less than a week after that and had blood work to confirm. I was pregnant with twins.
Fertility Treatment with Fertility Wellness Institute of Ohio
Thank you so much for sharing your story! Your experiences are a tremendous help to those who are experiencing their own fertility journeys.
This patient’s struggles with PCOS represent the journey of many of our patients. Her fertility success serves as an example of the path someone with PCOS or unexplained fertility issues might follow.
Do you have a story to share about your time as a patient at the Fertility Wellness Institute? We want to hear from you! Click here to reach out to the Fertility Wellness Institute team and share your story now!
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