Infertility Forum - How to predict ovulation during PCOS ? Can I get pregnant ?

Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with an unknown etiology, or cause. It is believed that resistance to insulin is the basis of this disorder. Insulin resistance causes increased insulin secretion by the pancreas. An increased amount of insulin disturbs follicle growth in the ovaries. Therefore, many follicles are stimulated but none or only few reach the mature stage and become a Graf’s follicle, ready to ovulate. Lack of ovulation causes irregular bleeding, amenorrhea and sterility. Other than genital symptoms present obesity and hair growth (hirsutism) due to the hormonal dysbalance are often present during PCOS.

Ovulation can be stimulated via estrogens, FSH/LH, GnRH-analogs and estrogen-antagonists (clomiphene). Therapy lasts for 6 months, at least. Insulin resistance is treated with metformin that is given together with ovulation stimulators. In normal occasion,s ovulation can be predicted with an ovulation predictor test or kit ... but in the case of PCOS ovulation prediction could be difficult due to the higher level of LH present during PCOS all the time (Ovulation predictor kits measure LH levels as the determining factor of ovulation). Therefore, you can try to measure body temperature in order to predict the date of ovulation.

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