Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women, impacting around an estimated 10% of reproductive age women. Yet many people only discover they have it when they start trying for a baby. At Child Fertility, our specialists provide world-class diagnosis and treatment for PCOS, helping women restore balance to their reproductive health and achieve their goal of parenthood.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work. It’s linked to hormonal imbalance, where higher levels of certain hormones can interfere with ovulation.
It is defined by at least two of the following three features:
- Irregular or absent periods – meaning the ovaries do not regularly release an egg.
- High levels of androgen hormones – which can cause symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth, or hair thinning.
- Polycystic ovaries – where, on ultrasound scan, the ovaries are seen to be enlarged and contain many small fluid-filled sacs or follicles.
Not all women with PCOS have all three features, and the condition can vary widely in how it affects each person.
How do you know if you have PCOS?
Many women live with PCOS for years without knowing it. Common symptoms include:
- Infrequent, irregular, or absent periods.
- Difficulty getting pregnant.
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Oily skin or acne
- Excess hair growth on the face or body
- Thinning hair on the scalp
If you recognise some of these signs, an assessment can diagnose PCOS. Identifying PCOS early helps tailor your fertility treatment, managing symptoms, and increasing your chances of conception.
At Child Fertility, to provide a clear and comprehensive diagnosis, we use advanced diagnostic tools, including hormone profiling, pelvic ultrasound, and metabolic screening. Our testing protocols are based on the latest research from Oxford and the UK, ensuring precision and accuracy at every step.
Can PCOS affect fertility?
Yes, but importantly, many women with PCOS go on to conceive successfully, either naturally or with fertility treatment.
PCOS often causes irregular ovulation, which means there are fewer chances each year to conceive. However, the number and quality of eggs are often normal, meaning with the right support, the outlook is very positive.
Our team at Child Fertility focuses on optimising your natural cycle and, where needed, using targeted fertility treatments to support ovulation and embryo development.
How is PCOS treated?
While PCOS cannot be cured, it can be managed to restore hormonal balance and optimise fertility. The right approach depends on your individual symptoms, fertility goals, and stage of life.
Because ovaries affected by PCOS can be highly sensitive to stimulation, our specialists at Child Fertility design personalised treatment plans to ensure your response is both safe and effective. Every aspect of care is planned around you.
Your personalised plan may include:
- Lifestyle and nutritional optimisation – Subtle, sustainable adjustments to nutrition and activity can support hormonal balance and improve natural ovulation. Weight-loss drugs can also have an important role.
- Ovulation induction medication – Carefully prescribed treatments using tablets such as letrozole or clomifene, or the injection of FSH, can encourage the ovaries to release an egg more regularly. Ovulation is followed by timed intercourse or intra-uterine insemination (IUI) treatment.
- Advanced fertility treatments – For those who require assisted conception, IVF or ICSI may offer the highest and fastest chance of success. At Child Fertility, these are delivered using our state-of-the-art technology, offering outcomes that set new standards in the region.
At Child Fertility every treatment plan is uniquely designed and personally overseen by our team of Oxford-trained specialists, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care and the very best possible outcome.
PCOS is just one factor that can affect female fertility. To learn more about female reproductive health and fertility, visit our Female Fertility page.
Take the first step
If you’re concerned about symptoms of PCOS, or have been trying to conceive without success, we can help.
Our team will guide you through diagnosis and design a treatment plan tailored to your body, your goals, and your journey to parenthood.