Ready or Not: PCOS Question

I have PCOS and I make a lot of eggs when I undergo stimulation, but I am still not pregnant.  I know women who only make one egg and they have gotten pregnant. Why is this not working for me?

Dr Browne says:
The answer is quite simple...when you are trying to conceive it is never about egg quantity but it is always about egg quality!  Both polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) are two conditions that can affect a woman's ability to conceive and carry to term.  PCOS generally affects younger women and it is characterized by having too many eggs, while DOR typically affects older women and is associated with very few eggs. However, both conditions share a common enemy...too much ovarian TESTOSTERONE!  This extra testosterone production can make it harder for women with PCOS and DOR to conceive, because too much testosterone can adversely affect egg quality and development. When trying to conceive, you always want to find ways to expose your eggs to more estrogen than testosterone.  The moment that you are able to alter this hormonal milieu (through different hormonal suppression and stimulation protocols), you can often times be successful.

Meet IF Founder & Expert - Dr. Browne

Hyacinth Nicole Browne, MD is a board certified reproductive endocrinologist. She majored in Chemistry at Dartmouth College and graduated cum laude. She graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 2002 and she completed her reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at the prestigious National Institutes of Health. Dr. Browne specializes in compassionate and personalized infertility care and she is devoted to helping couples achieve their dreams of having a family. 

She has authored numerous publications and is the recipient of various awards in medicine, research, and academics.  Her areas of expertise include: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, third party reproduction (egg donation and surrogacy), recurrent pregnancy loss, endometriosis, male infertility and fertility preservation.

Awards and Accomplishments

• Compassionate Doctor Award  2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
• Patient Choice Award  2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
• Super Doctor’s Rising Star (featured in New York Times Magazine)
• Top 10 Doctor- City, Metro Area, State
• On-Time Doctor Award
• Superior CREOG Achievement Award

Patients Say…

"Dr. Browne is unlike any doctor I’ve ever met before.  She truly “gets it” when it comes to infertility—not just the technical aspect, but also the emotional component.  I switched to her practice after a year spent with a well-known RE.  The difference between the two was astounding. With Dr. Browne, my husband and I felt like we truly had a partner by our side.  We had success twice under her guidance.  When she called the first time to tell me the positive beta results, she had all of her staff stand around the speakerphone to deliver the good news—we screamed in excitement together.  It was a wonderful experience both times.  I absolutely, 150% recommend Dr. Browne."

"I could not ask for a better doctor than Dr. Browne.  Going through treatments is an extremely arduous process.  Dr. Browne was there every step of the way.  She was always positive, compassionate, and highly responsive.  I would walk into every appointment with a list of questions and she patiently answered each one, never once rushing me, and always spending as much time with me as I needed." 

"Dr. Browne is a gifted clinician with terrific clinical instinct.  She goes the extra mile to understand the patient’s individual and complex case and takes the time to systematically correct the issues that may be leading to infertility.  She is thoughtful and concerned and most importantly, she cares. There is nothing more important than having a doctor who cares.  It is only because of Dr. Browne, who I call my baby angel, that my husband and I are expecting our first baby.  I always felt safe in her hands and she is the only doctor will see for baby #2!"

Special Interests and Expertise

• In Vitro Fertilization
• Minimal stimulation IVF
• Intrauterine Inseminations
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Diminished ovarian reserve
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Unexplained infertility
• Endometriosis
• Male infertility

Dr. Browne works at Hudson Valley Fertility located in Somers, NY and Fishkill, NY. For more information or to set-up a consultation, please contact Dr. Browne via email or phone 845-765-0125.