PCOS and Fertility: Everything You Need to Know
PCOS affects 1 in 5 Indian women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of ovulatory infertility. Here is what it means for your fertility — and how Progeny Fertility Hospital can help.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting an estimated 20% of Indian women. Despite how common it is, PCOS is frequently misunderstood — many women do not discover it until they start trying to conceive and find that pregnancy is not happening as expected. At Progeny Fertility Hospital in Salem, we see and successfully treat PCOS-related infertility every day.
PCOS is one of the most treatable causes of female infertility. With the right management, the majority of women with PCOS can conceive — either naturally or with targeted medical support.
What Is PCOS?
PCOS is a complex hormonal condition characterised by three main features. A diagnosis of PCOS requires at least two of these three (the Rotterdam Criteria):
- Irregular or absent menstrual cycles (oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea)
- Elevated androgens — visible as excess facial/body hair, acne, or hair thinning, or confirmed via blood test
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound — ovaries with 12 or more small follicles (the "necklace of pearls" appearance)
PCOS is closely associated with insulin resistance — the body does not respond efficiently to insulin, raising insulin levels, which stimulate the ovaries to produce excess androgens and disrupt the hormonal cascade needed for regular ovulation.
How PCOS Affects Fertility
- Anovulation: many PCOS cycles do not produce a mature egg
- Irregular cycles: 35+ day or absent cycles make tracking ovulation unreliable
- Poor egg quality: elevated LH and androgens can impair egg development
- Endometrial issues: prolonged anovulation leads to an inadequately prepared uterine lining
- Increased early miscarriage risk: particularly with uncontrolled insulin resistance
"Having PCOS does not mean you cannot get pregnant. It means your body needs a little help regulating the hormones that control ovulation." — Dr. Geetha Anand
