Pregnancy with PCOS: What May Up Your Chances

Dropping some weight may improve chances of pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are overweight or obese, according to new research.

This National Institutes of Health-funded research found that, compared to overweight or obese women with PCOS who were treated with a drug to induce ovulation, those who started a weight-loss program, before receiving a drug to induce ovulation, had higher ovulation and live birth rates.

In PCOS, the ovaries are home to multiple cyst-like sacs. The condition can cause infertility and irregular or absent menstrual periods, among other problems.

But the 142 women in this research who lowered their caloric intake, exercised and took a prescribed anti-obesity medication were almost twice as likely to have successful pregnancies resulting in live births — compared to the 187 women who were prescribed clomiphene (brand name Clomid) to induce ovulation.

Speak with your doctor before beginning any new weight-loss regimen.

Information on funding and conflicts of interest for this research was not available at the time of publication.