Debunking PCOS Fertility Myths – Live Q&A

Debunking PCOS fertility myths with the experts

It’s PCOS awareness month and we’re focusing on misconceptions, myths and assumptions to challenge, in your PCOS prognosis. Read up on symptoms in our more in-depth PCOS post, and catch our live chat with leading California fertility specialists, Laurel Fertility Care. 

PCOS fertility expert and medical director Dr Smikle sat down with TRB founder and CEO Eloise this week, to chat through this 1 in 10 condition, and how it can impact your TTC journey, plus a few PCOS fertility myths. 

Watch now, for information on: 

• PCOS symptoms
• Debunking PCOS myths
• Symptom management 
• Impact on fertility
• Questions about miscarriage

Plus, lots more. Watch now for more details on ‘typical’ symptoms, and next steps for your fertility. 

Understanding PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by the presence of cysts on the ovaries, irregular menstruation, irregular or no ovulation, and high androgen levels. 

Symptoms include irregular ovulation or no ovulation, excess hair (hirsutism) that includes facial hair or hair around the nipples, thinning of the hair, acne, and changes in glucose and insulin regulation. It’s important to manage very irregular cycles to prevent related medical conditions like endometrial hyperplasia.

Recognizing symptoms is crucial for timely diagnosis and management. Dr Smikle from Laurel Fertility Care is all about helping you seek professional guidance, make sense of things, and guide you through the diagnostic maze. 

Debunking myths

Dr Smikle explains how symptoms of PCOS may vary from person to person. While some women may experience more facial hair or weight gain, some may not. PCOS can make life a lot trickier, but there is always hope for better management. We know how difficult it can get to manage PCOS so we want you to stay informed. Here, we’ll dispel a few common PCOS myths: 

• “Losing weight can help you get rid of PCOS”: Unfortunately, PCOS is an incurable condition. However, losing excess weight can help in better management of the symptoms. 
• “All women grow hair where they don’t want to”: Though a common symptom of PCOS is hirsutism, not everyone will experience this. As we’ve mentioned before, symptoms can vary from person to person and everyone has their unique experience with this condition. 
• “You can never get pregnant”: If you have PCOS, you can still ovulate, even intermittently. A number of medications can stimulate ovulation too. So, it’s important to understand where you’re at by speaking to a doctor. 
• “You have polycystic ovaries”: Lots of women who have PCOS don’t have cysts on their ovaries, and having cysts doesn’t necessarily mean you have PCOS. 
• “Women with PCOS can lose weight like anyone else”: Weight loss is more complicated than just calories in vs calories out. PCOS can cause changes in your gut microbiome, leading to changes in your metabolism. Whilst changing up your diet and exercise can help, it may not suffice and it’s important that your doctor understands this. 

At TRB, we’re all about getting clued up on key knowledge so you can make informed choices about your reproductive health.

Managing symptoms

Dr. Smikle emphasizes the importance of effective management of PCOS symptoms for enhancing overall well-being and fertility outcomes.

• Medication plays a crucial role in managing symptoms such as excess hair growth or weight gain.
• Regulating irregular menstrual cycles is essential to prevent conditions like endometrial hyperplasia and, in rare cases, endometrial cancer.
• Various other strategies, including dietary adjustments and medication, can alleviate PCOS symptoms.

Whether it’s adjusting your diet or finding the right meds, there’s a whole toolbox of strategies to help you feel more like yourself again. Effective management can help you move forward on your fertility journey.

If you’re wondering whether you can still have PCOS with one or none of its symptoms, Dr Smikle from Laurel Fertility Care is here to address your concerns in this Q&A. Want to learn more? You can also deep dive into the most common assumptions and myths surrounding PCOS symptoms here.

Impact on fertility

We know that living with PCOS can be hard on you physically and emotionally, especially when it comes to trying to conceive. But with the right support and treatment, many of us with PCOS can continue our fertility journey further. 

While you may encounter challenges conceiving due to irregular cycles and ovulation, hypothyroidism, etc., fertility treatments and lifestyle adjustments can significantly enhance your chances of pregnancy.

Addressing concerns

We understand that your concerns are wide-ranging and don’t just end with pregnancy. Dr Smikle helped us understand that some may benefit from the assisted reproductive technologies route, while some may not need IVF. However, if you do take that road, we, at TRB and Laurel Fertility Care, are here to help you every step of the way.  

So there you have it, busting PCOS myths, understanding your symptoms, and facing your concerns head-on. You’re not alone on this journey, let’s get informed and tackle this together.  

Keen to chat with Laurel Fertility Care? Their super-friendly team are ready to help – get in contact today to chat through any questions you have – PCOS or otherwise.