PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) can throw a wrench into your pregnancy plans. Don’t lose hope, though. Getting pregnant with PCOS after 30 is not easy, but it is not impossible.
PCOS is an endocrine disorder that causes reproductive hormones to become imbalanced, which then leads to irregular menstrual cycles, acne, weight gain, and even infertility. As a matter of fact, PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.
1. Go See Your Doctor About Getting Pregnant with PCOS
First and foremost, you should head to the doctor. You need an accurate diagnosis to confirm your PCOS and any other condition you may be dealing with. In the weeks and days leading up to your doctor’s appointment, be sure to keep a written record of your symptoms and their frequency so that you can share them with your healthcare provider during your visit. This appointment will likely involve bloodwork and, potentially, imaging.
It is also important to keep an accurate record of your menstrual cycle so that you can provide this information to your doctor.
2. Create New Healthy Lifestyle Habits
If you wish to get pregnant with PCOS after 30, you have to put in the effort. You have to make changes to help offset the negative effects of PCOS. You have to make healthy lifestyle changes and get in the habit of taking good care of your body.
Some healthy lifestyle habit changes that you should strive to make in your life are:
- Exercise Regularly – Regular exercise can help lower insulin resistance, increase dopamine (also known as happy hormones), help with weight management, and many more benefits that are known to improve the negative effects of PCOS.
- Switch to a Healthy Diet – A healthy diet can go far to improve your health, especially if you are dealing with a PCOS diagnosis.
- Lower Your Stress – A high-stress lifestyle can affect anyone’s fertility. This is especially true for those who suffer from PCOS. You can lower your stress by practicing mindfulness, meditating, and even with diet and exercise.
3. Start Tracking Your PCOS Symptoms and Cycle
When we say to start tracking, we mean to start tracking many, many things in your life. Here are some of the things in life that you should start tracking:
Some of the following parts of your life that you should start tracking are:
- Your menstrual cycle
- Your ovulation and basal temperature
- Your workouts
- Your food intake
- Your medication and/or supplements taken
- Your PCOS symptoms and any changes
Tracking all of these facets of your life can help with multiple things. First, it can help you feel more in control of your life and your health. This is important because as anyone who has dealt with health issues can tell you that it is hard to feel like everything is out of your control.
Additionally, tracking these areas of your life can help you identify areas for improvement. Improving any of these things can assist you in your efforts to get pregnant.
4. Be Patient
Changes don’t happen overnight, especially when it comes to your health. When you change your lifestyle, it is important to stick with it for a while before jumping ship and trying something else.
Patience can make all the difference.
5. Be Kind to Yourself
Studies have shown that women who suffer from PCOS have increased chances of becoming pregnant when they have positive thoughts about themselves rather than constantly thinking in the negative.
Besides, it is exhausting to think in the negative. You deserve better!
Secondary Risks Associated with PCOS
Women who are diagnosed with PCOS are at an increased risk for heart disease, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of these other conditions, as well as how to care for your body if you are diagnosed with them, will go far in helping with your fertility journey.