Best Age to Get Pregnant - Guidance by Expert Doctors

Before we dive into what is the best age to get pregnant or how PCOS and pregnancy are related, let’s first understand PCOS. PCOS is a condition in women causing a hormonal imbalance because the ovaries produce excess androgens (male hormones) usually present in small amounts.

Ovaries are responsible for producing and releasing eggs. In PCOS, the ovaries do not release eggs regularly each month, leading to infertility. Therefore, women with PCOS often have unpredictable menstrual cycles, erratic ovulation, and missed periods.

The exact cause of PCOS is unclear; however, genetics play an essential role. Also, there are higher chances of getting PCOS if you are obese or overweight. However, it is also stated that not everyone with PCOS is obese or overweight, and many who are overweight do ovulate without any issues.

Other factors that may cause PCOS are a higher level of androgen than usual, increased levels of insulin that may cause the ovaries to produce and release more androgen, or chronic low-grade inflammation.

A woman’s peak reproductive years mainly lie between the late teenage years and 20s. A woman in her early to mid-20s has around a 25-30% probability of becoming pregnant every month.

By age 30, the ability to become pregnant starts to lower. This decline may speed up as one reaches their mid-30s. By 40, the chances of becoming pregnant are around 5% monthly.

A woman has a fixed number of eggs in her ovaries. As a woman ages, so do her ovaries and eggs inside them. The number of eggs decreases as she gets older. Also, with age, a woman is more likely to develop health conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, etc., that may affect their fertility.

You must be eager to know the best age to get pregnant with PCOS. However, let us understand why PCOS affects pregnancy in the first place. Most women with PCOS have high levels of luteinising hormone (LH) responsible for ovulation. At the same time, they have lower levels of oestrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are crucial for the functioning of the ovaries.

PCOS leads to the formation of tiny cysts on the surface of ovaries. These hormones are profoundly interconnected, and the function of the female reproductive system depends on their fine balance.

In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the menstrual cycle and may cause irregular periods. Irregular periods may cause irregular ovulation, decreasing the probability of becoming pregnant. If a woman does not produce eggs, she cannot conceive.

So, can a woman have a baby even with PCOS? Yes. Having PCOS does not mean that you cannot conceive. PCOS is treatable and manageable. You must consult a gynaecologist to discuss your symptoms and receive the proper treatment for PCOS to conceive.

Women with PCOS constantly want to know the best age to get pregnant. It is hard to give statistics as circumstances depend on the type of treatment and their success rates.

It is challenging to say what’s the best age to get pregnant with PCOS. Most women with PCOS can plan a family with the proper treatment. Therefore, you must consult a gynaecologist if you face difficulties conceiving.

However, irrespective of women with or without PCOS, the chances of conceiving are lower every year after age 30. Several experts advise women younger than 35, with no fertility issues and experiencing regular period cycles or any existing health conditions should try to conceive for at least one year before consulting a doctor. They must consult a gynaecologist after six months of trying to conceive.

Now, you know what is the best age to get pregnant with PCOS. However, one must consult a doctor to manage their PCOS symptoms and improve their pregnancy chances. The proper treatment for PCOS includes lifestyle changes, medication, or both. 

If a woman is overweight or obese, losing weight by doing regular physical activity and eating a healthy diet may improve the irregularity of the periods. Losing weight may improve how the body uses insulin, lowering blood pressure and regulating the hormones better.

However, consult your doctor for the right treatment plan. Your doctor will determine the best PCOS treatment based on your medical history, symptoms, other health conditions, and if you want to conceive in the near future.

If you are planning to become pregnant now or in the future, then the treatment includes the following:

1. Drugs that stimulate ovulation and help to release eggs: A successful pregnancy starts with ovulation; therefore, a few drugs may help induce ovulation in women with PCOS.
   The doctor may prescribe medicines like letrozole and clomiphene citrate to be taken orally or inject medications like gonadotropin hormones. 
2. Surgery: The surgery for PCOS involves ovarian drilling that helps to stimulate ovulation by removing tissues in the ovaries that are making too much androgen. In PCOS, the ovaries' cortex (outer shell) is thick and plays a vital role in preventing ovulation.
3. In vitro fertilisation (IVF): In IVF, the eggs are fertilised using the partner’s sperm in a laboratory and are later transferred to the uterus. IVF is an option for women with PCOS when medicines do not help stimulate ovulation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can make it more challenging to get pregnant, but there are several tips that can increase the chances of conception. Here are some things you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant with PCOS:

1. Maintain a healthy weight: Women with PCOS may have difficulty losing weight, but losing even a small amount of weight can improve fertility. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help with weight management.
2. Monitor ovulation: Women with PCOS may have irregular periods, making it difficult to predict ovulation. Using ovulation predictor kits, tracking basal body temperature, and monitoring cervical mucus changes can help identify ovulation.
3. Seek medical advice: Consult a fertility specialist or OB-GYN to discuss fertility treatments like Clomid, which can induce ovulation in women with PCOS. Your doctor may recommend other treatments like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) if necessary.
4. Manage stress: Stress can affect hormones that control ovulatiessential's important to manage stress levels. Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help.
5. Avoid smoking and alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact fertility in women with PCOS.
6. Take medications as directed: If prescribed medications for PCOS, take them as directed. This can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve your pregnancy chances.

Be patient. It may take longer for women with PCOS to conceive, but it's essential to remain patient and not lose hope. With proper care and treatment, many women with PCOS can conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.

Often, couples are curious to know what is the best age to get pregnant. After trying for many years, they feel helpless and give up. It's always best to seek advice from a doctor. PCOS can be a reason for infertility. However, you can still have a baby if you have PCOS with the proper treatment.