Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can make it harder to get pregnant because it affects your hormones and ovulation (release of an egg). But the good news is: many women with PCOS do get pregnant—naturally or with help. Below are natural remedies, lifestyle tips, and medical options that can increase your chances of conceiving.
Remedies for Getting Pregnant with PCOS:
1. Inositol (Myo-Inositol & D-Chiro-Inositol):
Inositol is a vitamin-like compound that helps balance blood sugar and hormones. Women with PCOS often have insulin resistance (when the body doesn’t use insulin well), and inositol can improve this. It also helps make ovulation more regular.
Most women take a combination of Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol. You can find this in powder or capsule form.
Tip: Take it daily for 3+ months to see the effects. It’s one of the safest and most studied supplements for PCOS.
2. Vitex (Chasteberry):
Vitex is an herbal supplement that supports the pituitary gland (which controls hormone signals). It helps the brain release the right signals to the ovaries to produce and release eggs (ovulation). It’s especially helpful if you have long or irregular cycles.
It may take a few months to see results, but many women report more regular periods.
Don’t take Vitex with fertility drugs unless a doctor says it’s okay.
3. Cinnamon:
Cinnamon helps your body respond better to insulin and lowers blood sugar levels. In women with PCOS, this can help regulate periods and promote ovulation naturally.
It’s simple to add to your die, just sprinkle it on oats, smoothies, or tea. You can also take it in supplement form. Typical dose in studies is 1 — 1.5 grams per day.
4. Spearmint Tea:
PCOS often causes high levels of male hormones (like testosterone), which leads to acne and facial hair. Spearmint tea may help lower these hormones, which in turn can balance your cycle and support ovulation.
Drink 1–2 cups daily for a few weeks to notice changes.
5. Maca Root
Maca is a root from Peru that’s often used to boost energy, mood, and fertility. It doesn’t directly affect PCOS, but it may help balance hormones and improve libido (sex drive). It’s available in powder or capsule form, usually taken in the morning.
Caution: Maca can affect your hormone levels, so use it under guidance if you’re taking medications or have thyroid issues.
Also Read: Can You Get Pregnant With PCOS without Treatment?
Lifestyle Changes:
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight:
Even losing a small amount of weight (5–10% of your body weight) can restore ovulation and increase your chances of pregnancy.
Why? Because extra weight makes insulin resistance and hormone imbalance worse. By reducing weight, your body starts to work more smoothly, and periods may become regular again.
2. Exercise Regularly:
You don’t need to go to the gym every day. Just 30 minutes of walking, cycling, yoga, or home workouts 4–5 days a week can help.
Exercise improves how your body uses insulin, reduces stress, and balances hormones—all of which support fertility.
3. Eat a PCOS-Friendly Diet:
Your diet plays a huge role in managing PCOS. Aim to eat:
- Low-GI foods: Whole grains, oats, beans, lentils
- Healthy fats: Olive oil, nuts, avocado
- Lean proteins: Chicken, fish, tofu, eggs
- Non-starchy vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, cucumber, etc.
Avoid:
- White bread, rice, pasta
- Sugary snacks and drinks
- Fried and processed foods
This kind of diet supports weight loss, lowers insulin, and promotes regular periods.
4. Reduce Stress:
High stress can increase cortisol, which messes with your hormones and ovulation. Try to manage stress with:
- Meditation
- Breathing exercises
- Gentle yoga
- Journaling
- Talking to a friend or counselor
Even 10 minutes a day of stress relief can help your body feel more balanced.
5. Sleep Well:
Lack of sleep can make PCOS symptoms worse, increase insulin resistance, and delay ovulation.
Try to:
- Sleep 7–9 hours every night
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily
- Avoid screens 1 hour before bedtime
A healthy sleep cycle supports hormone balance and fertility.
Medical Treatments:
If natural remedies and lifestyle changes aren’t enough, there are medical options to help you get pregnant.
1. Letrozole (Femara):
This is a medication often used to trigger ovulation in women with PCOS. It works by lowering estrogen levels for a short time, which tells your brain to release more hormones that help the ovaries grow and release an egg.
It’s often the first choice medicine now, as it shows better results than older drugs like Clomid.
2. Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid):
Clomid is an older medication that helps your body ovulate. It’s taken for 5 days early in the cycle and helps increase chances of pregnancy. Sometimes it’s used along with Metformin for better success.
3. Metformin:
Metformin is a diabetes medication, but it’s often given to women with PCOS. It helps reduce insulin resistance and can make cycles more regular. It may also help prevent early miscarriage in some women with PCOS.
Metformin doesn’t always trigger ovulation by itself, but it works well when combined with other treatments.
4. Gonadotropin Injections:
These are hormone shots that directly stimulate your ovaries to grow eggs. They are used when tablets don’t work, but they need careful monitoring because they can cause multiple egg release (increasing chances of twins or more).
5. IVF (In Vitro Fertilization):
If other treatments don’t work, IVF may be an option. In IVF, eggs are collected from your ovaries, fertilized in a lab, and then placed back in the uterus. For women with PCOS, doctors use special protocols to avoid overstimulating the ovaries.
How to Track Ovulation:
Knowing when you ovulate helps you time intercourse correctly. Here’s how to track it:
- Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These test your urine for the LH surge.
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Your body temperature rises slightly after ovulation.
- Cervical Mucus: Fertile mucus looks like egg white—clear and stretchy.
- Ultrasound Monitoring: If you’re working with a doctor, they can check your ovaries to see when you’re about to ovulate.
When to See a Doctor:
- If you’re under 35 and haven’t gotten pregnant after 1 year of trying.
- If you’re over 35, see a doctor after 6 months of trying.
- If your periods are irregular or you don’t ovulate at all.
- If your partner hasn’t been checked—remember, male fertility matters too.
References:
- Unfer V et al. Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol in PCOS, Gynecological Endocrinology, 2016.
- Legro RS et al. Letrozole vs. Clomid in PCOS, New England Journal of Medicine, 2014.
- Palomba S et al. Metformin and PCOS, Human Reproduction Update, 2009.
- Grant P. Spearmint and Testosterone, Phytotherapy Research, 2010.
- Kort DH et al. Cinnamon and Menstrual Cycles, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014.
- van Die MD et al. Vitex Agnus Castus for Cycle Regulation, Phytomedicine, 2013.
- Marsh K et al. Low GI Diet in PCOS, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010.
- Vgontzas AN et al. Sleep and Insulin Resistance, Sleep, 2009.