September is PCOS Awareness Month. To help us all become more aware of this disorder, I am writing about what it is and how we use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat it.
To begin, I am going to explain PCOS, which can be a mysterious disorder to us because it does not have a definitive cause. PCOS is polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is a hormonal disorder that can cause a variety of symptoms for women. The symptoms include hirsutism (excessive hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen), hair loss (“male baldness” pattern), acne, polycystic ovaries, obesity, and infertility. Most often, symptoms first appear during adolescence, around the start of menstruation. However, some women do not develop symptoms until they are into their 20's. PCOS is the most common hormonal problem for women of childbearing age, affecting 5-10% of women during this time in life. Although PCOS presents early in life, it persists through and beyond a woman’s reproductive years.
Along with the symptoms mentioned above, PCOS can lead to other health issues later in life such as insulin resistance, diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. A PCOS presentation can vary from woman to woman so it can be difficult to universally define it. Although, it is clear that all women affected with PCOS do have irregular and unpredictable ovulation patterns. It is also clear they produce excess amounts of androgens (testosterone). The hormone imbalance seen with PCOS includes several hormones, FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (Luteinizing hormone), thyroid, and androgens (testosterone). It is not yet completely understood why or how the changes in the hormone levels occur. PCOS develops when the ovaries overproduce the androgens. An overproduction of androgens can result from an overproduction of LH, which is produced by the pituitary gland.
Although, it is not completely understood what exactly causes PCOS, there are a few key factors that can play a role:
· Excess insulin
· Low-grade inflammation
· Heredity
· Abnormal fetal development
Testing used to determine PCOS include physical exam, pelvic ultrasound, and bloodwork. Treatment for PCOS include medications to help regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation, reduce excessive hair growth, and surgery is sometimes as option as well.
When we look at PCOS from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, we look at where the energetic “qi” imbalance is stemming from. This is how we form a diagnosis and treatment plan. In TCM, disorder arises from excess and deficiency of the qi in our bodies. Our qi runs through the energy channels along our bodies. PCOS can result from imbalances in various channels:
· Our kidney channel, which can have a “yang” deficiency
· Our spleen channel, which will have more of a excess of damp pathogen
· Our liver channel, which can have a blood stasis pattern
These energy imbalances can be seen as cystic ovaries, irregular menses, infertility, hirsutism, and abdominal discomfort.
Once we have determined where the imbalances of qi are, we can create a treatment plan. PCOS is effectively treated by using a variety of therapies. These include:
· Acupuncture
· Chinese herbs
· Supplements
· Regular exercise
· Specific food plans
· Adequate, quality rest
· Meditation
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work in similar fashion to treat PCOS and all of its symptoms. By using acupuncture and herbs to balance the qi that is affected by PCOS, these treatments will help to regulate the hormones that are out of balance with a PCOS presentation.
A study published in 2008 demonstrates the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture and exercise on PCOS. The study results showed a difference in adipose levels and insulin resistance after using electro-acupuncture and exercise together. You can read more about this study at:
A typical TCM treatment plan for PCOS may include weekly acupuncture treatments for several months or even longer. It depends on each individual patient, her specific symptoms, how long she has been affected by PCOS, and other factors as well. We have seen wonderful results with using acupuncture and herbs to treat PCOS by helping to regulate the hormones—a healthy and happy mind, body, and spirit!
Caroline Jung, Dipl. Ac., MSOM
