Can polycystic ovary syndrome conceive naturally?

Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

Updated on April 25, 2025

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In cases of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), some women are able to conceive naturally. Clinically, patients with PCOS mainly exhibit symptoms such as obesity, hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. This is due to ovulatory dysfunction common in PCOS, which affects the ability to conceive naturally. However, some women may occasionally release a normal ovum, allowing for the possibility of natural conception under such conditions, though the likelihood of this occurring is relatively low. Generally, treatment is needed to facilitate the normal release of follicles, after which natural conception may be possible.

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Written by He Bing

Obstetrics and Gynecology

50sec

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Can polycystic ovary syndrome be treated with surgery?

Polycystic ovary syndrome can be treated surgically. There are two methods of surgical treatment. For patients with high levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone, laparoscopic ovarian drilling can be performed, which has advantages such as definite therapeutic effect, minimal injury, and moderate cost. Possible issues with laparoscopic ovarian drilling include ineffective treatment, pelvic adhesion, and reduced ovarian function. Previously, ovarian wedge resection was commonly used, which could lower androgen levels, alleviate symptoms of hirsutism, and increase pregnancy rates. However, due to the high incidence of adhesions around the ovaries after surgery, this method is no longer commonly used clinically.

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Written by He Bing

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 34sec

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Pregnancy Rate

For women who plan to conceive, their biggest concern is whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will affect their normal fertility. Normally, reproductive-aged women develop a group of 3-11 follicles each month, which after recruitment and selection, typically only one follicle fully matures and ovulates, while the other follicles degenerate after reaching a certain stage of development. However, in patients with PCOS, the ovaries contain many small and immature follicles, often more than 12. The amount of follicle-stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland is not sufficient to support the development of even one follicle, leading to anovulation and infertility. For patients with PCOS who want to conceive, the greatest risk is infertility. Patients can control their weight and regulate their menstrual cycles by adjusting their lifestyle, or by using medication to induce ovulation. Generally, more than 95% of patients can successfully induce ovulation and achieve pregnancy through medication. However, the success rate of achieving pregnancy through induced ovulation after 6 attempts is only 75% to 80%. Even for those who ovulate naturally, the success rate of conception within a year is only 82%. Therefore, it is essential to be patient, as hurried efforts will not yield immediate results in treatment.

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Written by He Bing

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 53sec

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What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome often begins in adolescence, with primary clinical manifestations including menstrual disorders, excess androgens, and obesity. First, menstrual disorders are the most prominent symptoms, often characterized by infrequent menstruation, with cycles ranging from 35 days to 6 months, or amenorrhea. Before amenorrhea, there may be scanty menses or infrequent menstruation. It can also present as irregular uterine bleeding with no regular pattern in menstrual cycle, period, or flow. Second, infertility. Women of childbearing age may experience infertility due to ovulatory disorders. Third, hirsutism is the most common manifestation of high androgen levels. It appears in varying degrees, primarily affecting sexual hair, with dense pubic hair showing a male pattern tendency, extending around the anus, groin, or midline of the abdomen. There may also be fine mustache hair on the upper lip or hair around the nipple. Oily skin is also common, related to the accumulation of androgens stimulating vigorous secretion from the sebaceous glands. Fourth, obesity. Over 50% of patients are obese, commonly exhibiting abdominal obesity. Fifth, acanthosis nigricans. Occurs in areas such as the labia, the back of the neck, armpits, under the breasts, and the groin, where skin folds are present. This is characterized by symmetric grey-brown pigmentation, thickened skin, and a soft texture.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 27sec

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is what matter?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a type of gynecological endocrine disorder. Its clinical manifestations include amenorrhea, obesity, infertility, acne, and hirsutism. A key characteristic of the disease is anovulation which affects fertility. Therefore, the general diagnostic procedure for patients with suspected PCOS begins with an ultrasound at a hospital. If the ultrasound suggests PCOS, it is necessary to have a blood test for sex hormone levels on an empty stomach during the 2nd to 5th day of the menstrual cycle. Diagnosis is generally determined through a combination of sex hormone tests and ultrasound examinations, which can confirm whether one has PCOS. The causes of PCOS are generally attributed to staying up late, dieting, high stress, irregular lifestyle, indiscriminate use of contraceptives and diet pills, obesity, and patients with other endocrine disorders. Since PCOS affects fertility and is difficult to treat, patients diagnosed with this condition must seek treatment in hospital endocrinology departments or specialized gynecology departments.

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Written by Li Shun Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

48sec

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What should I eat to manage polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a lifelong disease that cannot be cured, and it is a metabolic disease, which makes it easy to develop diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a light diet, eat more fruits and vegetables to regulate the body, avoid greasy foods, exercise regularly, and keep the body within the normal range. By doing so, people with this syndrome can live like everyone else. However, if a person with polycystic ovary syndrome goes more than two months without menstruation, they must be treated with progesterone, primarily to prevent endometrial cancer.