Being told you have PCOS can raise a lot of questions – especially when fertility is part of the picture. You may have been told it’s common, that it affects hormones, or that it can make getting pregnant more challenging. But for many women, the question is more personal: Can I still get pregnant naturally?
If you’ve found yourself researching late at night, trying to understand what PCOS means for your body and your chances of becoming a parent, you are not alone. Questions about PCOS and fertility are very common, and they deserve clear answers.
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is recognised by Health authorities like the World Health Organization as a common hormonal condition that can affect how the ovaries work, including ovulation and fertility.
Everyone’s experience of PCOS is unique. Some women notice changes in their cycles, others experience hormonal symptoms like acne or excess hair growth on the face, chest, back or buttocks, whilst others see weight gain or thinning hair on the head; some may only discover they have PCOS when trying to conceive. Because experiences vary so much, general statements about PCOS and fertility may not fully address your individual situation.
PCOS can disrupt the body’s natural ovulation cycle, which may make trying to conceive feel uncertain or frustrating.
Some common fertility-related challenges include:
When ovulation doesn’t happen regularly, periods may be infrequent or inconsistent. As this can make timing conception more difficult, , there are effective treatments available that can regulate ovulation and significantly improve the chances of pregnancy.
To understand more about how PCOS fits into overall reproductive health, you can explore our Female Fertility page.
The short and honest answer is yes, many women with PCOS do conceive naturally.
A PCOS diagnosis doesn’t automatically equal infertility. For some women, ovulation still occurs often enough for natural pregnancy to happen without medical intervention. For others, it may take longer, or cycles may need closer monitoring.
What matters most is not the diagnosis itself, but how PCOS is affecting ovulation in your individual case. This is why comparing experiences online can be misleading, as one woman’s story is not a prediction of your outcome.
Natural conception with PCOS is influenced by several interconnected factors. Understanding them can help you feel more informed and in control.
These often include:
These influences exist on a spectrum, and are not pass or fail criteria. Many women fall somewhere in between, which is why outcomes vary so widely.
There are times when PCOS can make getting pregnant more challenging, particularly if ovulation happens very rarely or not at all for extended periods.
This may look like:
Recognising these patterns is the first step in understanding your body and knowing when to find the right support to move forward.
Many women hesitate to seek guidance because they worry it means jumping straight into treatment. In reality, early conversations are usually about understanding what is happening and what options exist.
Speaking to a fertility specialist can help you:
If you feel ready to talk through your individual situation, you’re welcome to get in touch for a confidential conversation.
Living with PCOS can feel uncertain, especially when you’re thinking about starting or growing a family. While knowledge can’t remove every unknown, it can replace fear with understanding.
At CHILD Fertility, we believe your experience with PCOS deserves individual attention, clear explanations, and care. Wherever you are on your journey, we’re ready to help you take the next step with confidence.