Some women who are having trouble getting pregnant might have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition related to diabetes.
PCOS is the most common cause of infertility among American women, according to the American Diabetes Association. It affects 5%-10% of all women of childbearing age. PCOS keeps the body from ovulating, which means eggs aren’t released from the ovaries for fertilization and pregnancy cannot occur.
Because the condition is linked to insulin resistance, PCOS is also associated with type 2 diabetes. About 50% of women with type 2 diabetes develop PCOS, and 30% of obese women with PCOS develop glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes by age 40. Women with type 2 diabetes and/or PCOS are also more susceptible to cardiovascular disease.
If you are diagnosed with PCOS, an oral contraceptive or a medication such as metformin may be prescribed to reduce insulin resistance. Healthy eating and physical activity for weight control should also be part of a program intended to restore your fertility.
Reprinted from 101 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy with Diabetes by Patti B. Geil and Laura B. Heironymus. Copyright by the American Diabetes Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment