Overcoming Infertility: Promoting Ovulation with PCOS

At Complete Healthcare for Women, Dr. Richard Lorenzo, Kortney Jones, ARNP, and their team are dedicated to helping patients navigate this journey with personalized care and advanced treatment options.

Understanding PCOS and Obesity

PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries. It is a leading cause of infertility due to anovulation (lack of ovulation). Obesity exacerbates PCOS symptoms and can also independently affect fertility by disrupting hormonal balance and ovulation.

Steps to Promote Ovulation

1. Lifestyle Modifications

   • Weight Loss: For overweight or obese women, losing a small amount of weight (5-10% of body weight) can significantly improve ovulation and pregnancy rates. A combination of a balanced diet and regular exercise is recommended.

   • Healthy Diet: Emphasize whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing refined sugars and processed foods. Low-glycemic index diets can help manage insulin levels, which is crucial for women with PCOS.

2. Medications

   • Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid): This oral medication stimulates ovulation and is often the first line of treatment for women with PCOS. It works by blocking estrogen receptors, leading to an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production.

   • Letrozole (Femara): Initially used for breast cancer, letrozole is now a common ovulation induction agent for women with PCOS. It lowers estrogen levels, prompting the release of FSH.

   • Metformin: Commonly used for managing diabetes, metformin can help women with PCOS by improving insulin sensitivity, which in turn can promote regular ovulation.

   • Gonadotropins: Injectable hormones that stimulate the ovaries directly. They are used when oral medications are ineffective but require careful monitoring due to the risk of multiple pregnancies.

3. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

   • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF can be an effective option, particularly when other methods do not result in pregnancy. It involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving them, fertilizing them in the lab, and transferring the embryos back into the uterus.

     • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Involves placing sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. This method is often combined with ovulation induction medications.

4. Hormonal Therapies

   • Progesterone Therapy: Used to regulate menstrual cycles and support early pregnancy. It helps prepare the uterine lining for embryo implantation.

   
   

Comprehensive Care at Complete Healthcare for Women

Dr. Lorenzo and his team provide individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. Their holistic approach includes thorough medical evaluations, lifestyle and dietary counseling, and the latest medical treatments to optimize fertility outcomes.

Navigating infertility with PCOS or obesity can be challenging, but with the right support and treatment, many women can achieve successful pregnancies. At Complete Healthcare for Women, Dr. Lorenzo's expertise and compassionate care guide patients through this journey, offering hope and effective solutions to promote ovulation and enhance fertility.

Author

Richard Lorenzo, DO

Dr. Lorenzo is a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG), reflecting his expertise in women’s health. He provides comprehensive gynecological and obstetric services, including prenatal care up to 20 weeks, infertility evaluations, and general gynecology. Dr. Lorenzo specializes in advanced surgical techniques, offering minimally invasive procedures for abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and hysterectomy, ensuring quicker recovery and minimal discomfort for his patients. He is highly trained in high-risk obstetrics and adept at performing minimally invasive hysterectomies, providing women with effective solutions tailored to their needs. At Complete Healthcare for Women in Richland, WA, Dr. Lorenzo prioritizes personalized, compassionate care, empowering women to make informed health decisions.