PCOS is the most common reason for female infertility.

Many of my patients ask this question, Dr Teirney… “why can’t I get pregnant”. The main reason is infrequent or absent release of the egg (ovulation) from the ovary. On average an egg is ovulated once a month. This gives a couple about 12 occasions a year to possibly get pregnant if they have intercourse during this fertile time. But with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ovulation can be very infrequent and therefore less opportunity for the egg to be fertilized.

However, PCOS may not be the only reason…..there can also be other female and male fertility problems that could reduce a couples chances of getting pregnant. In fact statistics show that up to to 1in 6 couples have difficulty getting pregnant.

What are the possible causes of infertility?

• 30% of infertility is due to female factors alone
• 30% of infertility is due to male factors alone
• 30% of infertility is due to both female and male factors
• The remaining 10% of infertility is of an unexplained nature

So, if you have not conceived on simple PCOS fertility treatment such as Clomid, or you and your partner have been actively trying for a baby for more than 1 year with no success, then you both need to have fertility investigations to rule out other possible causes.