PCOS and IVF: “I needed IVF because of my PCOS and then something amazing happened”

Dr Chantal Simonis on a hormonal condition that impacts fertility - and Gemma shares a personal tale with a twist

Dr Chantal Simonis is a gynaecologist and obstetrician at TFP Fertility UK and has a doctorate for her specialist research in PCOS.

About polycystic ovaries and PCOS

“Polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome are often confused as the same condition but, in fact, that’s not the case.

Women can have polycystic ovaries (PCO) without the full polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),” says Dr Simonis.

What is the difference between PCO and PCOS?

She explains that PCOS is a hormonal condition that usually stops regular ovulation, which is when you release an egg during your menstrual cycle.

Some women have PCO that shows up on a scan, but if their menstrual cycles are regular and they have no other symptoms, then it shouldn’t be a problem getting pregnant.

This is why it’s important to correctly diagnose whether you have PCO or PCOS.

Women PCOS may find it takes longer to fall pregnant. If general advice about diet, lifestyle and healthy body weight haven’t led to ovulation, they might need fertility treatment.

How Gemma decided to have IVF for her PCOS

When Gemma and Daniel came to Wessex Fertility, the first step was to have a fertility assessment.

Even though they already knew she had PCOS, a full fertility health check looks at hormone levels and does a scan to explore what’s going on physically in the womb (uterus) and ovaries.

Tests by the Wessex team revealed that Gemma’s uterus was healthy and she had plenty of follicles, although they weren’t producing eggs. Daniel’s sperm count was healthy, too.

“Bless the guys at Wessex,” she says, “They did the first injection for me. Then Daniel did some but he had to go back to work, so I learned how to do it on my own. It got easier.”

When Gemma administered her trigger shot, which was to stimulate release of her eggs, she rang the Wessex out of hours line to check she’d got her dosage right.

“I was very emotional and hormonal throughout all this,” she admits. “But I was also making sure my diet was healthy. I was eating veggies and fruit, nothing unhealthy, plus drinking loads of water. I was completely focussed on making sure my eggs were good quality.”

An unexpected arrival

After Archer’s birth in August, midwives advised Gemma to use contraception. Gemma felt confident she didn’t need to, as she didn’t ovulate and never had periods.

However, later that year, Gemma began being sick in the mornings so her mum suggested she do a pregnancy test, just to make sure.

“I said, it won’t happen for me. It can’t. But then we did the test, and I was pregnant,” says Gemma. “I called TFP, panicking, in case I needed some sort of medication. But they said my body had conceived naturally so I didn’t need medical help - and they congratulated me.” 

“So now I have both Archer and my new baby girl, Autumn. Her arrival was the biggest shock of my life.

“These babies are both miracles,” she says.

Gemma reflects on her treatment

Gemma describes her experience with TFP Fertility Wessex as amazing. “I couldn’t fault them,” she says. “It was quite nerve-wracking being so young but I didn’t feel judged by anyone.

“A couple of times, I felt overwhelmed, like when I had my medication delivered. I had an online chat with Wessex and that made me feel better.

“Being told you can’t conceive is heart breaking. So, when you find a good fertility clinic you need to stick with it. I was lucky, but I know if it doesn’t work it can get depressing and upsetting. Pick a good clinic that will support you,” she says.

Gemma and Daniel’s remaining embryos are in storage just in case they can’t conceive naturally again. “But we won’t be trying again for a good few years,” laughs Gemma.