The basic problem in PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is that there are numerous eggs in the ovaries but they do not grow and Ovulate (release of eggs).

The first line of treatment in PCOS, therefore, is Ovulation Induction (giving medicine to grow and release the eggs). This has to be done VERY CAREFULLY. If medicines are ineffective, eggs won't grow. On the other hand, slight increase in dose can cause many follicles to grow, leading to serious complications like OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome- ovaries enlarge, water can accumulate in various body parts) and Multiple Pregnancy (Twin, Triplet etc). That's why we must do TVS Follicular Scan to see if eggs are growing and whether there is chance of OHSS or not.

The first line of agents in Ovulation Induction (OI) are usually oral tablets like CC (Clomiphene Citrate) and Letrozole. Sometimes we add Metformin tablet to improve the response to the oral medicines.

What to do if the oral medicines are not working (you are not ovulating with oral medicines)?
If these do not work we have 2 options-

1) Injection Gonadotropin (that carries small risk of OHSS and Multiple pregnancy, therefore, needs intense Monitoring by TVS)

2) surgery called LOD (Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling- the electric current is used to burn few follicles in PCO). However, LOD carries surgical, anesthetic risks and also the risk of ovarian damage, if not done in proper way.

What to do if you had ovulation with oral medicines but failed to conceive?
If OI is done with oral medicine, the success rate is 15% per cycle. That means, out of 100 women taking the tablet, having regular intercourse and undergoing TVS Follicular Study, 15 will conceive at the end of one month.

It is useless to take the medicines for OI years after years. Pregnancy should happen within 6-9 cycles of OI.

If oral tablets has been tried for 4-6 months, it's better to add injections for next 3-4 months.

How to take the injections?
Injections are usually started from day 2/ 3/ 4 of the period. The number of injection depends on your response. The injections are NOT painful and need to be taken under the skin. TVS Follicular Study is done from day 8/9, once in every 2-3 days (until day 14-16) to confirm that the injection is working. You should have regular physical relationship as well.

How long injections can be taken?
How long you can take injections, depends on your age and the duration of infertility.

It is useless to take the injections for OI years after years. Pregnancy should happen within 3-4 cycles of OI.

If still pregnancy cannot happen, it's better to consider IUI or IVF.