Low priority given to painful medical condition that increases infertility risk – research reveals

Delays in diagnosis and lack of support for women with a painful and often debilitating medical condition that increases infertility risk has been highlighted by new research. Concerned by the findings, Bourn Hall’s Lincolnshire-based Fertility Nurse Consultant Bev Kimminau is urging women to ask their GP for a test to check they are ovulating, rather than waiting months for a diagnosis.

Painful periods

Painful, irregular periods, rapid weight gain and facial hair are some of the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) a condition that affects up to 12 percent of women and is a major cause of infertility.

The charity Verity PCOS UK found that 60% of women with the disorder have struggled to get a diagnosis, while 95% said they had encountered problems trying to access NHS support.

Verity PCOS UK trustee, Rachel Morman, said that delays to diagnosis were often due to variations in symptoms between women: “It’s such a complex condition that presents differently from person to person.” She comments that during “medical training, women’s health does not have enough prioritisation” and this leads “to delayed diagnosis.”

Difficulty loosing weight

Women with PCOS often have a hormone imbalance, particularly abnormal levels of insulin – the hormone that controls sugar levels in the body – and higher levels of testosterone, the ‘male’ sex hormone, which can cause excess body hair and acne.

For some women insulin resistance means it is difficult for them to lose weight, but they will often be told they need to do this before they can receive NHS fertility testing and treatment – increasing the delay in treatment, and an increase to already often elevated levels of anxiety

Scan provides insights into infertility risk

Bev Kimminau recently set up a fertility suite for Bourn Hall in Stamford, offering rapid access to fertility advice and treatment to people in Lincolnshire.

She explains that PCOS can be detected by a specialist using a scan and a blood test, and that specific medications can increase the chances of pregnancy.

She says: “A scan can reveal small fluid filled sacs called follicles on the ovary, often with the presentation on a scan that looks like a ring of pearls. Women with PCOS often experience a hormone imbalance when lots of follicles develop containing immature eggs – a follicle does not develop through a cycle and therefore no egg is released ready for fertilisation. Many women experience very long cycles or do not have regular periods at all.

“Irregular periods can be a sign that you are not producing the correct amount of hormones to stimulate ovulation; this can be confirmed with a blood test and that will show if further investigation is needed.”

Type 2 diabetes risk

PCOS is often considered a reproductive disorder, but it also has serious health risks, such as an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, early detection is important and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can prevent the onset of these conditions.

Bev says that a high BMI may be the only reason for a loss of ovulation, so reducing weight can improve the chances of pregnancy either naturally or through IVF treatment.

Free mini consultation

To support women trying to conceive in gaining timely access to advice and treatment, Bourn Hall Stamford is offering a specialist PCOS scanning service and blood test as options within its Fertility Health & Wellbeing Service in Stamford.

Free mini consultations with Bev are also available at Stamford when booked in October.

Verity provides information and support for those with PCOS; more information is available at verity-pcos.org.uk

Background information to help when talking to your GP: ‘Recommendations from the 2023 international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome’, Helena J Teede et al https://academic.oup.com/ejendo/article/189/2/G43/7242362