Ovulation with PCOS: Is Clomid or Letrozole better? What Is Ovulation Induction?

Double board certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, discusses ovulation induction and PCOS. It is completely normal to need help trying to ovulate when you have PCOS and nothing to be ashamed of. PCOS is one of the top causes of infertility so it's important to know which method of ovulation induction is more likely to result in pregnancy.

Questions Answered:
What is PCOS?
What are PCOS misconceptions?
What happens when you ovulate?
What is FSH?
What happens to your eggs every month?
What role does the brain play?
What happens if you have PCOS?
What are PCOS symptoms?
How does weight play a role?
What is metformin?
What is Clomid?
How does it work?
How does letrozole work?
What do the studies say?
How does AMH play a role?
What is a normal period?
Do you need IVF with PCOS?

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Fertility doctor, Natalie Crawford, MD is a double board certified OBGYN and REI, and co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas.

COME SAY HI!!!

FORA FERTILITY:
715 W 34th Street, Austin, TX 78705

Listen to the AS A WOMAN PODCAST here:
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#fertility #fertilitydoctor #nataliecrawfordmd #doctor #asawoman

Sharing fertility facts to educate women about trying to conceive, getting pregnant, ovulation, fertility treatments, IUI, IVF, becoming a doctor, life as a woman in medicine, and more.

[SavannaBryant]

After watching your videos, I would like to say that I am truly blessed. I have been struggling with PCOS for years and it wasn’t until I started TTC was when I found out I had PCOS. We tried for 6months all unsuccessful, doctor put me on 50mg of clomid and I got pregnant my first round. We are truly best! Currently trying for baby number 2.

[eirdoula]

As a doula, I’m obsessed with your videos! You explain women’s health so well. I’d love if you did more videos misconceptions with pregnancy and outdated information to watch out for.

All the love from PDX❤️

[tj]

Such great information and I'm glad that study was done! I started with clomid and didn't respond but responded alright to letrozole (with RE monitoring). Ultimately, I needed IVF but at least letrozole got me ovulating where clomid just left me frustrated.

[lucy-clzn]

Hi Natalie! Would you be able to do a video on the topic of post-pill amenorrhea / PCOS / irregular periods for younger women not looking to conceive but just regulate their cycle? Would love to hear your thoughts on this and any ovulation induction methods for this (e.g. Metformin). Thank you always for the amazing and informative videos!

[biancadiaz]

Thank you for saying PCOS is not my fault. 🥺

[tebmedtourism]

Dr. Crawford, in the video you mentioned that with PCOS, it is common for multiple eggs to develop at once. You also mentioned that Clomid can cause a thinning of the uterine lining. Is Letrozole (lrel) less likely to cause a thinning of the uterine lining than Clomid?

[alyssac]

Pcos girlie here! I’m a little confused. I have a period every month but I don’t ovulate. My Lh levels are super low. Ive been on metformin for about 8 months now and still not ovulating. Now will start leterozole soon. Is that common to have a period and no ovulation?

[felixthecat]

I haven't had a menstrual cycle on my own since I was 14. I stopped having them after I took a medication called depekote for a seizure disorder. I have never been able to get my body to have a period without the assistance of birth control even with a low glycemic diet, rigid exercise routine, and extreme weight loss. It just doesn't happen for me.

I just got married and we want to have kids soon. I hope something works for us even if it is IVF

[nadyhenry]

What's the best foods to eat to improve ovulation?

[cheyennehernandez]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with PCOS, My fertility doctor prescribed my first round of Letrozole 5MG. 2 tablets of (2.5MG) for 5 days. When we checked Cycle Day 8 he said my follicle was 25mm and was too big for this cycle. I was wondering shouldn’t he prescribed 2.5MG 1 tablet a day for 5 days. Did the Letrozole affect the size of my follicle? When I asked my doctor he said no it has nothing to do with it because Letrozole is an ovulation inducer but how would doubling the medication not affect my follicle growth? Please advise

[InTheMix]

What reason would a doctor prescribe unmonitored Letrozole cycles for a couple with no known fertility issues (as in they just started trying and neither has unexplained infertility)? What are the possible outcomes?

[Susan.I]

I’m 60 years old and have PCOS. I took Clomid from 1984-1989. I had four miscarriages followed by ovarian drilling. Then I lost weight and was able to get pregnant on our own, carried to term and delivered by C-section. And then had four more miscarriages. What should I be aware of and be on the lookout for in the future?

[rukayyaibrahim]

Hello Dr. I have a question, I have a normal cycle with regular period is clomid safe for me to help concieve faster? If yes how much dose?

[jocelynsmyth]

So we've been trying for over three years, finally this past winter we started at a clinic, and was diagnosed with pcos this spring - next period cycle, we're starting letrozole, but you know, that could happen on... whenever my uterus gives up on WAITING for a damn egg that isn't coming lol

[obtkcop]

Hi Natalie. Can you please explain ovulatory PCOS but no getting pregnant

[xandreaaa]

is it safe to take Ozempic for PCOS while trying to conceive?

[Amapola]

What are the options for someome with high AMH?

[BaibaSK]

I had a miscarriage at 9 weeks and a D&C 4 years ago. Ever since then we haven’t been able to conceive. After watching your videos I had commented on one of them and you suggested to go get an evaluation for scar tissue which I have scheduled now. My periods are normal I do ovulate which I track every month.
My question is what do I ask my ob what tests do I need to do? I can’t afford any doctor’s apt. So this is my only apt at the moment.

[KatieBeckman]

I have an AMH of 9.1 & I am 35yo. I do not have PCOS. We have been trying for 19 months. Within that time frame we have had, 13 months on induction medication (both clomid & letrezole) & 3 failed iui’s. I only grew 2 dominant follicles on 150mg of clomid, but it thinned my lining. Is this common without having PCOS? Would using injections be a waste of time? Thanks!

[nicolecantrell]

We've been trying for 4 years with a diagnosis of PCOS and started clomid rounds 2 years ago and I got pregnant our first cycle with it but unfortunately miscarried at 8 weeks and had to get a D&C. I had a chemical pregnancy 2 months after the miscarriage and had 2 more cycles on clomid with no success. I started letrozole at the beginning of this year with still no luck...what should I do next? Should I suggest testing to be done by my OB or should I go see a fertility specialist and talk about ivf?