The polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS affects about 10 percent of adult women. The condition will affect fertility, as a patient with PCOS will not be able to produce a sufficient amount of hormones that will cause a maturation of the egg follicles. FSH and other gonadotropins can be administered to stimulate the maturation of eggs and ovulation.
FSH Effectiveness in Women with PCOS
FSH may work in many women affected by PCOS and will induce regular ovulation, allowing the patient to get pregnant. FSH stimulates directly the maturation of follicles, inducing ovulation. However, there may be cases that won’t respond to this type of treatment. FSH is typically not the first choice of treatment for women with PCOS.
Clomid is the first choice treatment, but only around 40 percent of women with PCOS respond to the treatment and get pregnant. FSH is administered only if Clomid is not effective. Patients that take injectable FSH for PCOS may have a 20 percent to 30 percent chance of getting pregnant. If medication or injections fail, the fertility doctor may recommend ovarian drilling, which will aim at reducing the production of male hormones. Weight loss is also an option for patients that are overweight.
