Woman with PCOS & Miscarriage
Someone sent me a letter last week, asking about PCO and a miscarriage she happened to experience a few weeks ago. I think, it’s better if I write the reply here just in case other women experience the same thing.
Dearest M,
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a syndrome of hormone imbalances.
PCOS is characterized by enlarged ovaries that contain numerous small and painless cysts. This is because the ovary doesn’t make all of the hormones it needs for any of the eggs to fully mature. They may start to grow and accumulate fluid, but no one egg becomes large enough. Instead, some may remain as cysts. Since no egg matures or is released, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent. Also, the cysts produce male hormones, which continue to prevent ovulation.
Also, the interruption of the egg’s maturation process may cause abnormal chromosomes in the egg. This might increase the probability of a miscarriage.
However, don’t worry. It can be treated. There are some treatments that can be done especially if you still wish to conceive, such as:
Fertility Medications. This one can be chosen since the main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.
Surgery (Laparoscopy). This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But these effects may only last a few months.
Maintaining a healthy weight. Since obesity is common with PCOS, maintaining a healthy weight can help. Even loss of 10% of her body weight can help make a woman’s cycle more regular.
Consult with your ob/gyn to find out which treatment is better for you. Hope you can get the best one.
Love,
Naeva
April 16th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I am SO happy to read the reply. My sister has been diagnosed with PCOS and has been trying to conceive for several months now, with zero ovulation. She and her doctor have upped her metformin and still there is no egg. She and her husband have decided to try clomid for three months and see where that leads them.
I *hurt* for her. She wants so badly to be a mother and I can’t think of another woman who will make a better one. This information is incredibly helpful for those of us who don’t know much about the disease. Thank you!
April 23rd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Hi this is leina i am very interested from the above comment, so i want give some stuff here.one cause here. There are multiple possible causes of miscarriage. Although not all the possible causes have been identified.Perhaps half of all early miscarriages occur because of chance chromosomal abnormalities You can take a look at her book here:
Miscarriage and PCOS.