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pretty little liars actor with polycystic ovary syndrome is pregnant

pcos is a common reason for infertility.

pretty little liars actor with polycystic ovary syndrome is pregnant
polycystic ovary syndrome is hard to diagnose and often cause infertility. stock/getty

nearly two years after tying the knot, pretty little liars alum sasha pierterse revealed that she’s expecting her first child with husband hudson sheaffer. the actress, who shared the snap on instagram of her bump on instagram , was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) back in 2017.

while on dancing with the stars that same year, pierterse spoke of how baffled she was for two years trying to figure out a reason that explained her 70-pound weight gain.

“i had no idea what was going on and i didn’t have any way of solving it,” she told people at the time . she later told entertainment tonight that she hoped her story would shed light on the often overlooked condition.

pcos is one of the most common hormonal issues in women, which causes cysts to develop within the ovaries according to mayo clinic. the cause for the condition stems from an imbalance of reproductive hormones that can also delay ovulation or affect the development of the eggs. this makes pcos a common cause for infertility.

for those who are able to get pregnant, pcos causes women to be at higher risks for complications during pregnancy, labour, and delivery. according to healthline , pregnant women with pcos are three times more likely to have a miscarriage compared to women without pcos. there could also be complications such as developing preeclampsia (a dangerous condition for both mother and baby), gestational diabetes, having a larger baby or premature births. this could lead to difficult deliveries or a cesarean section.

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having a baby while living with pcos unfortunately has risks for the infant as well. both mother and baby need to be monitored as there could be risks to the fetus. potential risks include premature birth, large for gestational age and miscarriage. healthline adds that if you have pcos and have a baby girl, there’s a 50 per cent chance that she could develop pcos as well.

statistics from the cdc indicate that more than five million women of childbearing age are affected by the condition, but less than 50 per cent of patients are able to get a proper diagnosis, meaning that millions are suffering in silence.

for those who are able to get a diagnosis, there is no cure, but only ways to help manage the condition. treatments such as birth control, weight loss, and managing a healthy diet with exercise are all ways that can help manage pcos. other treatments that can help, according to healthline, include spironolactone and other androgen blockers.
as the complications are very real during pregnancy when living with pcos, it’s important to take the proper steps to make sure you’re able to have a healthy pregnancy. following doctors’ advice, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking the appropriate medication can all help to make sure that the pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible.

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