If you’re an intended parent with PCOS, you may have already faced the unique challenges it brings to your fertility journey.

While IVF is a common fertility treatment for women with PCOS, it may not always lead to success. Understanding how PCOS affects your IVF outcomes and knowing when to explore other options can help you find the right path to parenthood.

If you’re ready to explore surrogacy as a path to parenthood, contact us online now to get started.

In this article, we’ll explore PCOS and IVF failure, the challenges it brings and when it may be time to consider alternative family-building options such as surrogacy or adoption.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age. It is often diagnosed by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen (male hormone) levels and polycystic ovaries.

Common symptoms include:

• Irregular or absent periods
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Excess facial or body hair
• Acne or oily skin
• Thinning hair
• Difficulty conceiving due to irregular ovulation

These symptoms often lead women to pursue fertility treatments, with IVF being one of the most common solutions. But, PCOS can also complicate the IVF process, making success less likely for some patients.

PCOS and IVF Failure: How PCOS Impacts IVF Success Rates

One of the key reasons behind PCOS IVF failure in women is hormonal imbalance, particularly an excess of androgens and insulin resistance. These issues can often lead to irregular or absent ovulation, making it harder for healthy eggs to be retrieved during an IVF cycle.

Women with PCOS generally have lower IVF success rates compared to those without the condition. Studies show that while IVF can work for women with PCOS, the chances of success are reduced. According to The National Library of Medicine, women with PCOS have an IVF success rate of about 20% to 35% per cycle, while women without PCOS have rates between 40% and 50%.

I have PCOS and can’t get pregnant with IVF: Is it time to move on?

If you have PCOS and are struggling to get pregnant with IVF, you might be wondering if it’s time to consider other options. IVF can be challenging for women with PCOS, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other paths forward. Understanding your options can help you decide what’s best for your family-building journey.

Moving on from IVF can mean exploring options like surrogacy. Before making any decisions, it’s essential to consult your doctor and discuss the reasons IVF may not be working for you.

If you’re ready to move on, we’re here to guide you through other family-building options. Our agency specializes in supporting couples exploring options beyond IVF, and we can provide personalized advice to help you choose the best path forward.

Challenges of Failed IVF With PCOS

1. Egg Quality and Quantity

While PCOS can result in a higher number of eggs during IVF stimulation, the quality of those eggs may be at risk. Poor egg quality can lead to lower fertilization rates and result in poor embryo development, ultimately reducing the cances of a successful pregnancy.

2. Insulin Resistance

Many women with PCOS experience insulin resistance, which can affect their body’s response to IVF medications. Insulin resistance is associated with higher levels of inflammation and can further impact egg quality, leading to PCOS IVF failure.

3. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

Women with PCOS are more high risk for developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF. OHSS occurs when the ovaries respond too strongly to fertility medications, causing swelling and fluid buildup in the body. This can lead to complications such as severe pain, nausea, and hospitalization, which can impact the outcome of an IVF cycle.

If you’re experiencing repeated PCOS IVF failure, it may be time to speak with your fertility specialist about other family-building options like surrogacy. Explore surrogacy after failed IVF today.

Exploring Surrogacy

While IVF can be effective for many women with PCOS, repeated failures can often take an emotional and financial toll. If you’ve experienced multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles, it might be time to consider alternatives such as adoption or surrogacy. Both options can provide you with the opportunity to grow your family, even if PCOS continues to impact your fertility.

Surrogacy can offer a new path to parenthood when other treatments haven’t succeeded. While PCOS can affect your ability to carry a pregnancy, surrogacy allows another person to carry your biological child. American Surrogacy prioritizes finding highly qualified surrogates, who are thoroughly pre-screened to ensure the best possible outcomes.  We ask that are surrogates:

• Be 21-40 years old
• Have a BMI of 19-32
• Have had at least one successful pregnancy
• No major complications with pregnancy or delivery

In addition to these preliminary requirements, all of our surrogates are medically screened by a fertility clinic and psychologically screened by a mental health professional.

Learn more about our surrogate screening process or view our available surrogates now.

Tips for Preparing for Surrogacy

If you’ve decided to pursue surrogacy after IVF failure, here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• Work with a Reputable Agency: We can guide you through every step, from finding a surrogate to managing the legal aspects.
• Understand Your State’s Laws: Surrogacy laws vary by state, so it’s important to work with a professional, like American Surrogacy, who can help you get a better understanding of the legal steps involved in the process.
• Plan Financially: Surrogacy can be expensive, but with our clear fee structure, you’ll be able to be able to plan accordingly knowing what to expect every step of the way.

While PCOS and IVF failure can feel like a setback, it doesn’t have to mark the end of your family-building journey. Whether through surrogacy or other options like adoption, there are alternative paths that can still make parenthood possible.

Ready to explore surrogacy as a family-building option? Contact our surrogacy specialists today to learn more about how we can support you through this life-changing journey.