PCOS!

Hello, I am 27 years old and have been trying for a baby with my husband for four years with no success. I have PCOS which is mainly down to not conceiving, will ICSI help me?

Our Expert's Answer

This information was published 12 years, 8 months ago and was correct at the time of publication. It may not reflect our current practices or regulations.

Please note that all the answers we give are on a generic basis only, as we cannot provide more in-depth answers without access to your medical history. If you need a more detailed response, tailored to you, we would recommend a consultation with one of our Fertility Specialists for more comprehensive medical advice.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS you have a complex condition in which your ovaries contain a large number of small follicles. This is usually diagnosed by ultrasound scan or blood tests. It may be the reason that you cannot conceive as some women with PCOS have irregular periods and do not ovulate.

There are drugs that you can take to overcome this but you need to take these under the guidance of your doctor. ICSI or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a technique generally used in cases of male factor infertility. You may be advised to have ICSI if you have previously had low fertilisation with IVF.

The reason for this is that the embryologists will be able to provide information on the quality and maturity of the eggs collected on the day of the ICSI procedure. If you need any further advice, you are most welcome to contact us on the usual number and speak to one of our fertility specialists.