I have pcos when do i ovulate

This is also an opportunity to discuss a plan of action in case the PCOS causes fertility difficulties. For women with PCOS who are overweight or obese, a modest weight loss sometimes results in more regular ovulation, which increases the chance of pregnancy. Read more: Women's fertility: does 'egg timer' testing work, and what are the other options?

Your GP is your first port of call, but she might refer you to a fertility specialist. If you have very irregular or only sporadic periods, this is an indication you are not ovulating and need medical help to have a baby.

The first line of medical treatment is ovulation induction. This involves a course of tablets or injections to stimulate the ovaries to release an egg that can be fertilised, either during intercourse or through intra-uterine insemination IUI.

IVF involves a course of injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. A surgical procedure known as ovarian drilling can also increase your chances of successful ovulation. While the operation can temporarily lower your androgen levels, it does pose the risk of creating scar tissue.

It is estimated that between five to 10 percent of U. But, according to the PCOS Foundation, less than half of all women with PCOS are actually diagnosed correctly, meaning that millions of women are potentially unaware of their condition. The PCOS Foundation estimates that this condition is the cause of fertility issues in women who have trouble with ovulation around 70 percent of the time.

Give your body a chance by talking with your doctor about fertility treatment. A number of medications can stimulate ovulation, which is the main issue that women with PCOS face. Other fertility treatments for women with PCOS include assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization. While it is certainly harder to get pregnant with PCOS, many women still ovulate intermittently. Find Care Doctors Locations. PCOS symptoms If you have at least two of the following criteria, you might have PCOS: History of irregular or no periods Increased testosterone as determined by lab tests or physical characteristics like excessive body or facial hair Evidence of polycystic ovaries as determined by ultrasound imaging Testing for ovulation If you have an irregular menstrual cycle — such as a period only every three months — you may not be ovulating regularly.

Basal body temperature BBT You will chart your temperature as soon as you wake up every morning. Urine luteinizing hormone LH testing You will test your urine in the middle of your cycle for an LH surge using a one-step over-the-counter ovulation predictor kit. Transvaginal ultrasound A technician will perform this test in the middle of your cycle, prior to when ovulation typically occurs. Progesterone level Progesterone is a hormone that increases significantly in women only after ovulation occurs.

Ovarian reserve testing A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. The most common tests to evaluate ovarian reserve are: Basal FSH, estradiol. A single blood test that is performed between days two and four of your menstrual cycle. We routinely use this test. Clomiphene citrate challenge test CCCT. A test involving the use of clomiphene citrate with two blood test measurements taken on day three and day ten of the menstrual cycle.

This will identify ovarian dysfunction. We use this test less commonly. Basal antral follicle BAF count. Sleep apnea raises your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety are common among women with PCOS. Endometrial cancer. Problems with ovulation, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes all common in women with PCOS increase the risk of developing cancer of the endometrium lining of the uterus or womb.

Will my PCOS symptoms go away at menopause? How is PCOS diagnosed? To help diagnose PCOS and rule out other causes of your symptoms, your doctor may talk to you about your medical history and do a physical exam and different tests: Physical exam. Your doctor will measure your blood pressure, body mass index BMI , and waist size.

They will also look at your skin for extra hair on your face, chest or back, acne, or skin discoloration. Your doctor may look for any hair loss or signs of other health conditions such as an enlarged thyroid gland.

Pelvic exam. Your doctor may do a pelvic exam for signs of extra male hormones for example, an enlarged clitoris and check to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen. Pelvic ultrasound sonogram. This test uses sound waves to examine your ovaries for cysts and check the endometrium lining of the uterus or womb.

Blood tests. Blood tests check your androgen hormone levels, sometimes called "male hormones. Your doctor may also test your cholesterol levels and test you for diabetes. Once other conditions are ruled out, you may be diagnosed with PCOS if you have at least two of the following symptoms: 5 Irregular periods, including periods that come too often, not often enough, or not at all Signs that you have high levels of androgens: Extra hair growth on your face, chin, and body hirsutism Acne Thinning of scalp hair Higher than normal blood levels of androgens Multiple cysts on one or both ovaries.

How is PCOS treated? Many women will need a combination of treatments, including: Steps you can take at home to help relieve your symptoms Medicines.

Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help relieve PCOS-related symptoms. Losing weight may help to lower your blood glucose levels, improve the way your body uses insulin, and help your hormones reach normal levels. Removing hair. You can try facial hair removal creams, laser hair removal, or electrolysis to remove excess hair. You can find hair removal creams and products at drugstores. Procedures like laser hair removal or electrolysis must be done by a doctor and may not be covered by health insurance.

Slowing hair growth. A prescription skin treatment eflornithine HCl cream can help slow down the growth rate of new hair in unwanted places. What types of medicines treat PCOS? The types of medicines that treat PCOS and its symptoms include: Hormonal birth control, including the pill, patch, shot, vaginal ring, and hormone intrauterine device IUD. For women who don't want to get pregnant, hormonal birth control can: Make your menstrual cycle more regular Lower your risk of endometrial cancer Help improve acne and reduce extra hair on the face and body Ask your doctor about birth control with both estrogen and progesterone.

Anti-androgen medicines. These medicines block the effect of androgens and can help reduce scalp hair loss, facial and body hair growth, and acne. These medicines can also cause problems during pregnancy. Metformin is often used to treat type 2 diabetes and may help some women with PCOS symptoms. Metformin improves insulin's ability to lower your blood sugar and can lower both insulin and androgen levels.