{"id":108209,"date":"2023-01-24T13:22:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T11:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/?p=108209"},"modified":"2023-01-24T13:22:05","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T11:22:05","slug":"how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/","title":{"rendered":"How to track ovulation with PCOS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>How to track ovulation with PCOS<\/strong>? Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a very common condition which affects around one in ten women. If you or someone you know has PCOS, you probably also know that it\u2019s one of the most common causes of infertility. This is because it tends to go along with irregular periods. These are not necessarily a health problem in themselves. However they can make life quite a lot more difficult when you\u2019re trying to conceive.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we focus on <strong>how to track ovulation with PCOS<\/strong>. What is PCOS and why is it associated with infertility? Is there a special <strong>PCOS ovulation test?<\/strong> If not, what is the <strong>best way to predict ovulation with PCOS<\/strong>? We\u2019ll also offer a few pointers on how you can improve your chances of conceiving and when, if you don\u2019t become pregnant despite trying, it\u2019s advisable to consult your doctor or fertility specialist.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#What_is_PCOS\" title=\"What is PCOS?\">What is PCOS?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#Is_there_a_PCOS_ovulation_test\" title=\"Is there a PCOS ovulation test?\">Is there a PCOS ovulation test?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#How_to_track_ovulation_with_PCOS\" title=\"How to track ovulation with PCOS\">How to track ovulation with PCOS<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#Cycle_tracking_apps\" title=\"Cycle tracking apps\">Cycle tracking apps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#Ovulation_predictor_kits\" title=\"Ovulation predictor kits\">Ovulation predictor kits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#Cervical_mucus_monitoring\" title=\"Cervical mucus monitoring\">Cervical mucus monitoring<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#Basal_body_temperature_monitoring\" title=\"Basal body temperature monitoring\">Basal body temperature monitoring<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/#Can_fertility_treatment_help_with_PCOS\" title=\"Can fertility treatment help with PCOS?\">Can fertility treatment help with PCOS?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_PCOS\"><\/span><strong>What is PCOS?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Polycystic ovarian syndrome<\/strong> is a condition that results from a hormonal imbalance. It\u2019s associated with high levels of \u2018male\u2019 sex hormones such as testosterone, the occurrence of multiple follicles containing immature eggs which accumulate around the ovaries, and either irregular ovulation or no ovulation at all. Obviously, this is a problem for fertility because, in the absence of a mature egg to be fertilized, conception cannot take place.<\/p>\n<p>The hormonal imbalance which can lead to PCOS often leads to irregular periods. However it does not completely drown out the pattern of <strong>hormonal variations and other physical changes<\/strong> that accompany the menstrual cycle and ovulation. If you have PCOS, it can be more difficult to monitor and predict your precise time of ovulation, but it is still possible. And, if improving your chances of conception is your aim, predicting ovulation is the first step to achieving this.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_there_a_PCOS_ovulation_test\"><\/span><strong>Is there a PCOS ovulation test?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>How to track ovulation with PCOS<\/strong> using a test? There is no specific test that has been developed to help people with PCOS to predict ovulation. Although\u00a0there is a well-established menu of options for all women. For most, it\u2019s a matter of trial and error to establish which works best for your body and your lifestyle. However, there are some ovulation monitoring and prediction methods which are likely to work better for you if you have PCOS than others.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_track_ovulation_with_PCOS\"><\/span><strong>How to track ovulation with PCOS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The starting point for all ovulation monitoring is to <strong>keep track of your menstrual cycle<\/strong>. Whether it\u2019s regular or irregular, knowing the pattern by keeping a record can help. If you decide to consult a doctor, both you and the doctor will have a head start on understanding what\u2019s going on. If you\u2019re trying to conceive it\u2019s the basis of your ovulation prediction. Understanding your baseline pattern can help you to identify any changes which could be relevant to your reproductive health and fertility. Here are the main ways that you can try to track and predict ovulation. Learn also more about how effective they may be for you if you have PCOS:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cycle_tracking_apps\"><\/span><strong>Cycle tracking apps<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The aim of cycle tracking apps is to make it easier for you to achieve what you could do equally well. An app can help you to establish the timing and duration of your normal cycle. Some apps can use this information to predict the likely timing of your ovulation. However, if you have <strong>irregular or very long cycles<\/strong>, whether or not you also have PCOS, these apps are unlikely to be able to predict ovulation and their usefulness is limited.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ovulation_predictor_kits\"><\/span><strong>Ovulation predictor kits<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>These kits, which are easily available from pharmacies, work by identifying the level of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in your urine. Since LH levels surge between 24 and 48 hours before ovulation, this is one of the best and most reliable prediction methods. However, one of the characteristics of PCOS is consistently higher than average LH levels. Therefore <strong>some kits may give false \u2018positives\u2019<\/strong> even when you are not about to ovulate. Fertility experts recommend that with PCOS, you should aim to use a kit which has a threshold well above your baseline to increase the chances of accuracy.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cervical_mucus_monitoring\"><\/span><strong>Cervical mucus monitoring<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is a well-known DIY-type of ovulation prediction. Around the time of ovulation, your cervical mucus tends to increase. It becomes aswell more slippery, or like egg white, in consistency. In women with PCOS, however, typically reduced levels of estradiol lead to cervical mucus which is more sticky and less elastic than in women without PCOS. Despite this difference,<strong> tracking cervical mucus<\/strong> can still be a helpful method of ovulation prediction for women with PCOS.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basal_body_temperature_monitoring\"><\/span><strong>Basal body temperature monitoring<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Since your basal body temperature rises after ovulation, monitoring can help you to understand you cycle. However, it\u2019s <strong>notoriously difficult to take consistent measurements<\/strong> of very small fluctuations in your basal body temperature. It can be impacted by factors such as stress, lack of sleep, alcohol consumption or illness. In addition, it does not predict but rather registers that you have already ovulated. This can be helpful for future prediction for women with a regular cycle but limits its usefulness for women with PCOS who are highly likely to have an irregular cycle.<\/p>\n<p>We would conclude from this that the most helpful method for you if you have PCOS is probably to use an ovulation predictor kit, bearing in mind our caveat about sourcing a brand that has a high threshold to avoid false positives.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_fertility_treatment_help_with_PCOS\"><\/span><strong>Can fertility treatment help with PCOS?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are ovulating at all, even unpredictably, there are certainly fertility treatments that can help you to conceive. These range from hormonal treatments which can trigger ovulation, helping you to conceive naturally, or <a href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/assisted-reproduction-treatments\/artificial-insemination\/\">Artificial Insemination (AI)<\/a>, to the more complex but highly effective <a href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/assisted-reproduction-treatments\/in-vitro-fertilisation\/\">In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)<\/a>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/ask-for-an-appointment\/\">Contact us at IVI<\/a> to find out more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"How to track ovulation with PCOS? Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a very common condition which affects around one in ten women. If you or someone you know has PCOS, you probably also know that it\u2019s one of the most common causes of infertility. This is because it tends to go along with irregular periods&#8230;. <a class=\"view-article\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-to-track-ovulation-with-pcos\/\">View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":108214,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[218,64,296,169],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to track ovulation with PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How to track ovulation with PCOS? 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