Yes, You Can Get Pregnant with PCOS. Let’s Find Your Path to Motherhood.
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS and you’re worried about ever becoming a mother — I want you to take a deep breath.PCOS does NOT mean you can’t have children.I know you may have heard frightening statistics. You may have tried treatments that didn’t work. You may have been told to “just lose weight” — as if it’s that simple with PCOS. You may be exhausted from tracking irregular cycles that seem impossible to predict.Here’s what I want you to know: I see PCOS patients every day. Many have been struggling for years before they find me. And I help most of them get pregnant — not with a one-size-fits-all approach, but by understanding YOUR specific PCOS pattern and creating a treatment plan tailored to you.PCOS is the most common cause of ovulation problems — and ovulation problems are highly treatable. With the right approach, 60-80% of women with PCOS conceive successfully.
Let me show you what’s possible.
— Dr. Parinaaz Parhar
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects how your ovaries work. Despite the name, it’s not really about “cysts” — the “polycystic” appearance on ultrasound represents multiple small follicles, not harmful cysts.
PCOS affects multiple systems in your body. It’s characterized by hormonal imbalances (particularly elevated androgens), irregular or absent ovulation, and often (but not always) insulin resistance and metabolic changes.
The main way PCOS affects fertility is through irregular or absent ovulation. Here’s what happens:
In a typical cycle, one follicle matures and releases an egg. With PCOS, multiple follicles may start developing but none becomes dominant enough to ovulate. This means fewer opportunities for pregnancy each year.
Elevated androgens (male hormones) and disrupted LH/FSH ratios interfere with normal egg development and release.
Irregular periods make it difficult to know when (or if) you're ovulating, making natural conception timing extremely challenging.
Prolonged cycles without ovulation can affect the uterine lining, potentially impacting implantation.
These problems are highly treatable. We have excellent tools to help your ovaries ovulate predictably, and when that happens, your chances of pregnancy improve dramatically. Most PCOS patients don't need IVF — simpler treatments often work.
PCOS presents differently in different women. You may have some or many of these symptoms:
PCOS is diagnosed using the Rotterdam Criteria. You need to have at least 2 of the following 3 features:
IMPORTANT: Having "polycystic ovaries" on ultrasound alone does NOT mean you have PCOS. Up to 25% of normal women have polycystic-appearing ovaries. PCOS requires symptoms too — ovulation problems and/or signs of excess androgens.
I follow an evidence-based, stepped approach to PCOS fertility treatment. We start with the simplest interventions and progress only if needed. Many patients conceive before reaching the later steps.
For women with PCOS who are overweight, even modest weight loss (5-10% of body weight) can restore ovulation naturally. This includes:
• Dietary modifications: Low glycemic index diet, reducing refined carbohydrates and sugars
• Regular exercise: 150+ minutes of moderate activity per week
• Supplements: Inositol, vitamin D, and others based on individual assessment
I want to be clear: lifestyle changes are helpful but I never make them a condition of treatment. If you're struggling to lose weight — as many PCOS patients do — we can still help you conceive
• Letrozole (Femara) — FIRST LINE: Based on the landmark NEJM study, Letrozole produces higher live birth rates (27.5%) than Clomid (19.1%) in PCOS patients. It also has lower rates of multiple pregnancy.
• Clomiphene (Clomid): Traditional option that still works for many women, though Letrozole is now preferred as first-line.
• Metformin: Often added for women with insulin resistance. Can improve ovulation rates when combined with Letrozole.
If oral medications don't produce ovulation, we move to injectable hormones (FSH) at low doses. This requires careful monitoring because PCOS patients can over-respond, but with proper supervision, it's very effective.
IUI can be combined with ovulation induction to improve success rates. Sperm is placed directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation, increasing the chances that egg and sperm meet.
IVF is typically reserved for PCOS patients who haven't conceived with simpler treatments, or who have additional factors (blocked tubes, severe male factor, etc.). The good news: PCOS patients often respond well to IVF because they typically have good ovarian reserve.
A surgical option where small holes are made in the ovarian surface using heat or laser. This can restore ovulation for 6-12 months in some patients. Generally reserved for specific situations where medical treatment hasn't worked.
I don't just treat ovulation — I evaluate the complete PCOS picture. This includes hormonal profiling, insulin resistance assessment, thyroid function, and metabolic screening. Understanding YOUR specific PCOS phenotype helps me choose the most effective treatment.
I use Letrozole as first-line treatment based on the New England Journal of Medicine evidence showing 40% higher live birth rates compared to Clomid. I stay current with the latest research to give you the best possible outcomes.
PCOS patients are at higher risk for ovarian hyperstimulation. I use careful ultrasound monitoring and dosage adjustments to achieve single dominant follicle development — maximizing your pregnancy chances while keeping you safe.
I understand that PCOS makes weight management genuinely difficult — it's not about willpower. While lifestyle modifications help, I never shame patients about their weight or make treatment conditional on weight loss. You deserve care regardless of your size.
Beyond fertility, I help manage other PCOS symptoms — irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, insulin resistance. Addressing PCOS comprehensively improves not just fertility outcomes but your overall quality of life.
MBBS Gold Medalist, MS from prestigious BJ Medical College, DNB from National Board of Examinations, and FNB in Reproductive Medicine — a fellowship awarded to only 7-10 doctors annually across all of India. 16+ years of experience. 7,000+ couples helped.
Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and take the first step toward your parenthood journey.
Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and take the first step toward your parenthood journey.
Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and take the first step toward your parenthood journey.
Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and take the first step toward your parenthood journey.
Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and take the first step toward your parenthood journey.
