PCOS and pregnancy: fertility support and treatment

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of fertility problems in the UK. But despite how common it is, trying to conceive with PCOS can still feel incredibly isolating—especially if you’ve experienced pregnancy loss along the way. 

We’re here to help you make sense of what’s going on in your body and explain how PCOS can affect conception and pregnancy—including the often-overlooked role of progesterone. 

How PCOS affects fertility 

PCOS is a hormonal condition that impacts how your ovaries work. One of the key issues is irregular ovulation, or sometimes no ovulation at all. That means it can take longer to get pregnant because the release of an egg isn’t happening each month like it would in a typical cycle. 

PCOS is also linked with higher levels of insulin and androgens (like testosterone), which can disrupt the delicate hormone balance needed for ovulation, egg quality, and implantation. 

But the good news is that having PCOS doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Many people with PCOS go on to have successful pregnancies, either naturally or with support from fertility treatment like ovulation induction or IVF. 

PCOS and miscarriage 

If you’ve been through a miscarriage—or more than one—you’re not alone. Sadly, early pregnancy loss is more common in people with PCOS. There are a few reasons this might happen including poorer progesterone support, insulin resistance, higher BMI, endometrial receptivity issues, elevated luteinising hormone. We don’t know for sure in each individual if is indeed PCOS causing a miscarriage, but we know it increases the risk. 

What can be done about it? 

If you’ve experienced recurrent miscarriage which is typically defined as two or more losses, it’s important to have a thorough fertility assessment. At Care Fertility, we start with fertility tests before your consultation, so your doctor has all the information they need to explore possible causes, including hormone levels, ovarian reserve, and womb health.  

Every case is different, and we’ll always tailor your treatment to what your body needs. Our aim is to support implantation, reduce the risk of loss, and help give you the best chance of a healthy pregnancy. This may include ovulation induction, IVF or additional medications.  

The emotional toll 

Trying to get pregnant when you have PCOS, and especially if you’ve experienced loss, can be emotionally exhausting. It’s completely normal to feel frustrated, anxious, or even disconnected from your body. 

You don’t have to carry all of that alone. We offer specialist counselling and compassionate clinical care from people who understand how complex and deeply personal this journey can be. 

PCOS and gestational diabetes 

If you’re pregnant with PCOS, it’s important to know that you may have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes. This is a type of diabetes that appears during pregnancy and usually goes away after birth. It happens because your body can struggle to manage blood sugar levels when hormones change in pregnancy—something that’s already a little more complex if you have PCOS, as it’s often linked to insulin resistance. 

Gestational diabetes can increase the likelihood of having a larger baby, needing a caesarean birth, or developing type 2 diabetes later in life. But spotting it early and managing it well can make a big difference. That’s why your maternity care provider will offer you a screening test as part of your routine antenatal care. If you do develop gestational diabetes, they’ll help you manage it through diet, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication. 

Looking after your health after pregnancy is just as important. If you’ve had gestational diabetes, you’ll usually be offered follow-up tests to monitor your blood sugar, as PCOS can increase the risk of ongoing insulin resistance. 

We’re here for you 

If you’re ready to take the next step, our patient enquiry team will help you book your fertility tests. Once those are complete, you’ll meet with one of our fertility doctors to go through your results in detail, including any concerns around ovulation, progesterone, or early pregnancy loss. 

You’ll receive a clear treatment summary and cost breakdown in our dedicated treatment companion app, and when you’re ready, we’ll help you prepare for treatment with the right screening, consent forms, and medication. 

You deserve to feel seen, supported, and heard. And we’ll be with you, every step of the way. 

Let’s talk 

If you’ve experienced miscarriage or are finding it hard to get pregnant with PCOS, we’re here to listen and guide you forward. Call our team or use your treatment companion app to get started. We’re ready when you are. 

Get in touch with us here