9 years of infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome

MSc. Huynh Kha, Reproductive Support Center, Tam Anh General Hospital – District 8, said polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder syndrome in women of reproductive age. Specifically, the ovaries have many small follicles (ovules) 2-9 mm but cannot develop to maturity and do not ovulate. This condition is caused by an endocrine disorder, causing Ms. Huong’s menstrual cycle to be sparse, lasting about 2-6 months, making it difficult to conceive naturally.

Women with PCOS may or may not have excess male hormones – androgens. Ms. Huong belongs to this group of hormone excess, which inhibits follicle development and maturation, does not ovulate or ovulates irregularly, risks leading to premature eggs, poor egg quality and reduced ability of eggs to be fertilized by sperm. Hormonal imbalance can also cause the endometrial lining to decrease in quality, reducing the pregnancy rate when transferring embryos after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Ms. Huong also has a blocked fallopian tube on the right side and mild endometriosis.

Dr. Kha developed a comprehensive treatment regimen for Ms. Huong. First, the patient is given menstrual medication combined with hormonal medication for one month to adjust the hormones to a balanced level.

Women with PCOS who use low doses of ovarian stimulation drugs often do not respond, and high doses increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation. Dr. Kha balanced an average amount of ovarian stimulation medication combined with stable hormones to help Ms. Huong have 26 good quality mature eggs.

The embryologist selected the husband’s qualified sperm and injected it into the egg cytoplasm (ICSI technique), cultured the embryos in the Time-lapse system integrated with artificial intelligence, and obtained 20 day 5 embryos. Ms. Huong and her husband decided to freeze 10 day 5 embryos of the best quality to save costs.

Ms. Huong was treated with an injection of endometriosis inhibitor medication for one month. The doctor prepared the appropriate endometrium and transferred the embryo to help Ms. Huong get pregnant the first time. Pregnancy is currently 13 weeks, developing healthily. With the remaining frozen embryos, they can have more children in the future.

According to Dr. Kha, PCOS syndrome affects about 15% of women of reproductive age, but most cases are not diagnosed and treated promptly, leading to infertility. If not carefully monitored and appropriate individualized regimens are applied, patients may experience dangerous complications of ovarian hyperstimulation.

Dr. Kha recommends that couples who have not had children for a year after marriage (6 months in the case of women over 35 years old), women with irregular menstruation, unusually long or short cycles, pain in the pelvic area or signs of hirsutism, excessive hair loss, overweight and obesity, oily facial skin, lots of acne, dark skin… should be examined early. If you are not married, you can freeze your eggs to preserve fertility and be proactive about when to have children.