Dear Doctor: Polycystic ovary syndrome

by Dr. Niamh Houston © Herald.ie 2008
Dear Doctor,
I have always had irregular periods and am having trouble getting pregnant. My doctor thinks I have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Apart from taking Clomid, is there anything I can do?
A- It's not known why some women develop this syndrome, but this imbalance in female hormones can result in irregular or no menstruation, excess hair growth and obesity. In PCOS, your body produces an excess of the male androgen hormones. Ovulation occurs less frequently than normal or the ovaries don't release eggs at all — resulting in an irregular or absent menstrual cycle. Some, but not all women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts, however, this can also be found in women who do not have this condition.
PCOS is the main cause of infertility in women. Clomid is an anti-oestrogen medication taken in the first part of your cycle to trigger ovulation. About 80pc of women are able to conceive using Clomid. Sometimes another medication used to regulate insulin levels, Metformin, can be used.
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