IVF for Patients with PCOS
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is one of the most commonly performed fertility treatments at Los Angeles Reproductive Center. IVF is a multi-step procedure that oversees many of the stages of conception. Because IVF assists with many stages of conception, from ovulation to fertilization, it is an appropriate treatment for many of the causes of infertility.
IVF is often a good treatment option for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. IVF for PCOS patients is effective because it addresses the fertility issues caused by PCOS to give women a real chance at achieving their dream of parenthood. Our practice helps patients from Encino, CA, Bakersfield, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding areas.
What Is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can affect women of a reproductive age. Many women with PCOS have heightened levels of male hormones, or androgens. It is not known exactly what causes PCOS, but it is more common for women with a family history of the condition. In many cases, PCOS is a precursor to other medical complications, such as diabetes or heart disease.
How Does PCOS Impact Fertility?
The specific symptoms of PCOS vary. For some women, PCOS has a significant impact on fertility.
One way that PCOS makes it more difficult to conceive is that it often results in an irregular menstrual cycle. Again, the exact impact is unique for each patient. Some women may experience prolonged periods, while others may go long periods of time without experiencing a period at all. In either case, an irregular menstrual cycle makes it much more difficult to track ovulation and plan conception.
Another way that PCOS can compromise fertility is by disrupting the release of eggs. Women with PCOS often develop cysts around the follicles that contain eggs. This stops the maturation process and prevents eggs from being released. A failure to release mature eggs not only impacts the menstrual cycle, but also compromises fertility. An egg cannot be fertilized if it is never released from the ovaries.
How Can IVF Help?
IVF treatment is often the most effective fertility treatment for women suffering from PCOS. IVF starts with ovarian stimulation. Our patients will be prescribed fertility drugs that encourage the production of multiple mature eggs. Following this regiment, patients will receive a “trigger” shot of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that prompts the release of these eggs.
Eggs are collected during the egg retrieval process. The eggs are fertilized in our laboratory with sperm that has been cleaned and concentrated. The fertilization process will be evaluated for three to five days. At this time, the embryo, or embryos, of the highest quality will be selected for the embryo transfer process. Selected embryos are transferred directly to the uterus, to give them the best chance of implanting and resulting in a successful pregnancy.
Contact Us
If you suffer from PCOS and have been struggling to conceive, let the fertility specialists at Los Angeles Reproductive Center be of assistance. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about our comprehensive range of fertility treatments, or call (310) 721-1567 to schedule an appointment.