PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS is becoming increasingly common among women of reproductive age. The first sign many women will notice before a diagnosis is made is a longer than normal menstrual cycle that may or may not include ovulation. This happens because instead of normal follicular development in which an egg is released, cysts develop because the egg growth is stunted. When evaluated by ultrasound, ovaries in women with PCOS appear to have a thick, waxy coating and many rows of cysts. These cysts secrete androgens which are male hormones such as testosterone. The increased levels of androgens prevent ovulation and are responsible for the side effects that some, but not all, women experience such as an increase in facial hair, weight gain, acne and an increase in body hair.
Another endocrine imbalance also exists for many women with PCOS and that is impaired glucose tolerance and insulin abnormalities which lead to increased weight gain and sometimes obesity. The higher levels of insulin circulating in the body also contribute to androgen production within the ovary.
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What can Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture do for PCOS?
Acupuncture seeks to address the hormonal chaos at its root. Women experiencing an infertility diagnosis of PCOS need not despair. The benefits of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and western interventions if they are needed often result in normal pregnancies and healthy children. It is the case however, where more care needs to be taken in the months leading up to conception to ensure the health of the woman’s eggs. A sample treatment plan will be once a week for a 4-6month period of time. An exact treatment plan will be tailored to each individual and will depend on which symptoms are most prevalent. Some women will focus more on herbs and some on acupuncture.
What other tools will I receive to ensure my treatments are effective?
As we already discussed, acupuncture and herbs can play a role, but the need to modify the diet is also very important. Stabilizing blood sugar levels in order to lower insulin resistance is one very important goal. Women with PCOS should eliminate all refined sources of sugar in their diet. This includes the white foods- white flour, white pasta, white rice, white bread, most cereals, etc. They should also eliminate soda, juices and any sugary drinks completely while increasing lean proteins and complex, whole grains and vegetables. A good diet combined with moderate exercise is the basis of any treatment for PCOS. An assessment of your diet and future goals will be discussed at your initial consultation.
