PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
A common hormonal condition that disrupts ovulation — and one of the most treatable causes of infertility.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age. In PCOS, the ovaries produce higher-than-usual levels of androgens (male hormones) and many small follicles, which can stop an egg being released regularly each month.
The good news is that PCOS is also one of the most treatable causes of difficulty conceiving. With the right combination of lifestyle support, medication and — where needed — assisted reproduction, the large majority of women with PCOS can go on to have a healthy pregnancy.
How PCOS affects fertility
PCOS affects fertility mainly by disrupting ovulation — if an egg isn't released regularly, conception is harder to time and less likely each cycle. It does not mean you can't conceive; it usually means ovulation needs a helping hand.
How we diagnose & treat it
We start by confirming the diagnosis with hormone tests and an ultrasound, and by ruling out other causes. Simple steps — nutrition, weight management and insulin-sensitising medication where appropriate — can restore regular cycles on their own for many women.
When that isn't enough, ovulation induction gently stimulates the ovary to release an egg, timed with intercourse or IUI. If pregnancy still doesn't happen, IVF is highly effective in PCOS — and our freeze-all approach helps reduce the risk of over-stimulation (OHSS) that PCOS ovaries are prone to.
Frequently asked
Yes. PCOS is one of the most treatable causes of infertility. Most women conceive with lifestyle support, ovulation-inducing medication, or — if needed — IUI or IVF.
PCOS is a long-term condition, but its symptoms (including irregular ovulation) can be managed very effectively, especially around the time you're trying to conceive.
They're closely related and the terms are often used interchangeably in India. See our PCOD page for how they differ. For fertility, the management is similar.
Talk to a specialist about PCOS
Book a confidential consultation for a clear diagnosis and a plan tailored to you.
The information on this page is general and educational, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Fertility outcomes vary from person to person and depend on age, diagnosis and other individual factors; no result is guaranteed. Any success figure shown is a beta-hCG positive (pregnancy-test) rate per embryo transfer at our Solapur centre, which is not a live-birth rate. Please consult our specialists for advice specific to you.