PCOS and IVF: How to Increase Your Chances of Success

One of the most common reasons for infertility is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS deal with several sex hormone imbalances that impact the reproductive system in a big way. In fact, up to 80% of Cysters trying to conceive experience infertility.

Fertility symptoms of PCOS include irregular or absent periods, lack of ovulation, ovarian cysts, difficulties with implantation, poor egg quality, recurring miscarriages, and more. Obviously, with a long list like that, it totally makes sense why getting pregnant with PCOS is difficult. 

Because of these struggles, many Cysters opt for assisted reproductive technology like in vitro fertilization (IVF). This kind of support can greatly increase a Cyster’s chance of conceiving! And starting a family is something incredibly important to so many women out there, so I’m in full support of these fertility treatments.

That said, the challenges of PCOS are still at play even when doing IVF. High androgens, low progesterone, and imbalances of estrogen can prevent conception and hinder early development. So, in this post, I want to offer some tips to increase your chances of a successful IVF journey when you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Here’s what you need to do:

PCOS and IVF: How to Increase Your Chances of Success

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has helped millions of couples start a family. It’s a great option for Cysters as it bypasses a lot of the usual hurdles to conception associated with PCOS. It can also be combined with other natural fertility treatments (I love those!) for a compounding effect! 

IVF works by stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure. Sperm is collected, and then the eggs are fertilized in a lab with that semen. Over the next 3-5 days, the fertilized eggs grow into embryos. Healthy embryos are then implanted into the uterus. 

Pretty cool, right? Technology can do some amazing things. In this post, we’ll discuss more about how PCOS causes infertility, why IVF is a good fertility treatment option, and how to improve your odds of a viable pregnancy. 

Can PCOS Cause Infertility? 

Yes! Nearly all the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS affect fertility either directly or indirectly. As long as these dysregulated hormones go unmanaged, conception and full-term pregnancy can be really difficult for many Cysters. 

These are the hormones you’re dealing with:

• High Androgens: Can disrupt ovulation and prevent follicle development
• Imbalanced Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Can disrupt ovulation and prevent follicle development
• High Insulin: Can trigger androgen production, which lowers egg quality and ovulation 
• Low Progesterone: Can thin the uterine lining, preventing proper implantation 
• High Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): Can disrupt follicle development 
• High Cortisol: Can make the body prioritize other functions over reproduction, disrupting ovulation 

Does IVF Work for PCOS?

Yes! With IVF, eggs are taken directly from the ovaries, so regular ovulation isn’t a necessity. This fertility treatment also allows for controlled hormone environments and intentional egg selection. This, ultimately, can boost the chance of conception and successful pregnancy.

However, there are some risks involved. Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This is when the ovaries are too responsive to fertility medications, and they release a bunch of eggs all at once. Experiencing this can be painful and cause intense hormonal shifts. That said, doctors will monitor PCOS patients closely during IVF to manage and prevent OHSS. 

Beyond OHSS, it’s important to note that you should address the hormonal issues behind your PCOS. Doing so before and during the IVF process ensures that the treatment has a better chance of being effective. Also, remember: Conception isn’t the only hurdle to a full-term pregnancy. Proper fetal development is essential to positive birth outcomes. 

So, to reduce your chances of miscarriage and foster the perfect home for your little one while they wait to be born, make necessary lifestyle changes. You can read my guide to naturally managing PCOS, but I’ll share the habits that’ll make the biggest impact below! 

What Is the Success Rate of IVF with PCOS?

The IVF success rate for women with PCOS is around 55%. This refers to the live birth rates, whereas clinical pregnancy rates are closer to 67%. In comparison, these numbers are much better than other fertility treatment options like intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or laparoscopic ovarian drilling. 

Women undergoing IVF also have a lower chance of having multiple births than with IUI. This is good because multiples can be much harder on your body and lower the chances of a viable pregnancy.  

What IVF Protocol Is Best for PCOS?

Antagonist Protocol (GnRH Antagonist Cycle)

You can ask your doctor about the details of the medical procedure, but this is the procedure most often used for women with PCOS. It prevents your body from ovulating too early, which is safer for your ovaries and helps lower OHSS risk. It’s also a shorter, more gentle ovarian stimulation protocol that tends to have fewer negative side effects. 

Mild or “Low-Dose” Stimulation Protocol

This method is all about “less is more.” It uses lower doses of medication to help your ovaries grow just 5-10 eggs at a time (rather than 15-25). Basically, instead of aiming for a large number of follicles, this protocol prioritizes fewer, higher-quality eggs. Since this whole process requires less medication, it’s also gentle and lowers your risk of OHSS. 

“Freeze-All” Strategy

This last one is a longer process, but it can be worthwhile. In this protocol, eggs are retrieved and immediately frozen. This actually gives your ovaries time to recover from the procedure, which helps prevent OHSS and other negative outcomes. When it’s time to transfer eggs, you undergo a hormonally controlled cycle to increase your chances of a successful transfer. 

How to Improve Egg Quality for IVF: PCOS Edition

Eat a balanced anti-inflammatory diet. 

Since insulin resistance can make it harder to conceive, balancing your metabolism can be super beneficial to your pregnancy goals. An anti-inflammatory, gluten- and dairy-free diet is key to increasing insulin sensitivity with PCOS. 

This improvement in insulin levels supports weight loss and balances hormones—two major hurdles to fertility! Plus, getting your blood sugar in check can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and high birth weight. 

Take fertility-supporting supplements. 

There are lots of supplements that can help balance hormones, improve insulin sensitivity, and boost fertility overall. Some of the best fertility supplements for PCOS include Ovasitol, CoQ10, omega-3, and, of course, a high-quality prenatal vitamin. You can find all these on Ovafit, which is a supplement line specifically formulated for women with PCOS!

Lower your stress levels. 

Stress leads to hormonal imbalances. When we get stressed, our cortisol levels rise—which is why it’s called the “stress hormone.” If those levels become elevated, it sends our bodies into emergency mode. 

And when we’re in this state, our systems stop prioritizing reproduction, worsening all fertility markers. That’s why reducing stress through self-care is so important for supporting better egg quality and a healthy pregnancy!

Do slow-weighted workouts. 

Exercise can boost fertility by helping your body reach a healthy weight, balance hormones, and lower stress. I recommend slow-weighted workouts that keep your heart rate and cortisol levels steady. 

These workouts also build muscle, support fat loss, and improve overall body composition—giving you bigger health benefits overall. For PCOS-friendly routines, check out The Cysterhood app!

Improve your sleep hygiene. 

Sleep is essential for hormone balance. When we sleep, our bodies undergo specific processes that help manage important fertility hormones like cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. 

Numerous studies have shown that IVF success rates significantly improve with 7-10 hours of high-quality sleep! So, try improving your sleeping habits for a big boost in fertility and egg quality.

Drink herbal teas. 

Herbal teas have incredible hormone-balancing properties. I recommend drinking an herbal tea blend like Testosterone Relief Tea. This blend includes ten different herbal teas that have been shown to help lower androgen levels in women with PCOS. That means this tea could help regulate menstrual cycles, normalize ovulation, improve egg quality, and more! 

IVF can be a great way for Cysters struggling with infertility to conceive!

PCOS may make the path to motherhood more challenging, but it doesn’t close the door. Both intentional lifestyle changes and medical interventions can help you conceive and have a successful pregnancy. Just remember, the key to improving your fertility with PCOS is mending hormonal imbalances—which you have the power to do! For more ways to find relief and get pregnant with PCOS, check out these PCOS Weight Loss resources next: