September has officially been named PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) awareness month, and as we’ve mentioned here before, PCOS can be a huge factor for women trying to conceive.

In a nutshell, PCOS negatively affects ovulation, causing it to occur very infrequently or not at all.  Consequently, women who have PCOS may experience infertility… even if they’ve already had prior children without resorting to fertility treatments.  (This type of PCOS-driven secondary fertility isn’t uncommon, though it often surprises couples.)

Fortunately, PCOScan be detected and there are numerous medications available to help women “jump start” their ovulation.  Though they certainly don’t work for everyone, they are worth trying if the opportunity to conceive a child without other fertility treatments is desired.