PCOS & Pregnancy- Some Practical Prenatal Advice from the Expert
Guest Post by Dr. Mark Perloe
The best time to address issues of PCOS and to affect pregnancy outcome is to address the metabolic issues that often accompany PCOS prior to conceiving. PCOS can affect egg quality, implantation, as well as placental development. Your medical history is important to consider. Pregnancy loss with PCOS normally approaches 30% about twice the normal risk. If you have had prior losses and simply take clomiphene to get pregnant without correct metabolic abnormalities, miscarriage rates can be as high as 60%.Many women are misled that problems with a previous pregnancy was due to low progesterone, and so they feel that once they are pregnant that they should begin progesterone treatment. There are many problems with this unfounded belief. First, progesterone levels may be higher in the morning than later in the day. They may be lower after a meal and the vertical position. Levels can vary dramatically from one lab to the next thus making it difficult to prognosticate from a single value. Most important is the finding that a low progesterone level indicates that the egg likely came from a less than optimum follicle. In that case, the issue may be egg quality or hCG production by the early pregnancy. It appears that in pregnancies with falling progesterone, that hCG levels drop before the progesterone starts to fall. This means that the progesterone is a sign that the pregnancy is threatened but does not mean it is the cause of pregnancy problems.Rather than worrying what to do once you are pregnant, it’s best begin a program focusing on a reducing inflammation, adopting a healthy diet, and beginning strength-training exercises and supplements or medications that address insulin resistance prior to conceiving. It is not clear that taking these actions or adding progesterone after you’ve conceived will be of much benefit. On the other hand, if you focus on correcting these metabolic disturbances, there is little reason to believe that you’re at any greater risk for problems during your pregnancy.
Dr. Perloe earned his MD from Penn State-Hershey Medical Center, and completed an OBGYN residency at the University of Wisconsin and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Minnesota. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.As Medical Director of Georgia Reproductive Specialists, Dr. Perloe has expertise in treating infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, recurrent pregnancy loss, fibroids, male fertility problems and other reproductive health problems using the latest assisted reproductive technologies.Dr. Perloe has served as principal investigator in numerous clinical research trials including innovative IVF treatments. He serves on the advisory board of the Journal Fertility and Sterility. His research has been published in Human Reproduction, Fertility and Sterility, and other medical journals. In 1986, he co-authored Miracle Babies and Other Happy Endings for Couples with Fertility Problems. He is the creator of IVF.com and is a frequent speaker at community and professional educational events.If you would like to hear more from Dr. Perloe, check out his YouTube channel. It is packed with tips and informative videos.
I apologize. I enjoy reading all of your articles regarding PCOS. I saw Dr. Perloe about 3 years ago when I first was diagnosed with PCOS. He was extremely knowledgeable but had no bedside manner. For a man that is so experienced and knowledgeable of the condition he was not friendly at all. Most of us with PCOS are extremely sensitive about what we go through and even more emotional when discussing starting a family. My husband and I left the office discouraged and upset. Again, I appreciate all that you do with PCOS Diva because it truly is inspirational but I had to speak up on this article. Thanks!
I’m pregnant with PCOS after taking clomid. This article doesnt even answer the question of “what to do now that I am pregnant.” It just goes on to scare pregnant pcos ‘divas’ that they may miscarry and go on to say what you should have done before becoming pregnant. Not practical advice at all!