What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects up to almost 27 per cent of women during their reproductive age. PCOS is a “syndrome” or a group of symptoms that results in reproductive hormones imbalances, affecting ovulation. The three main features of PCOS are:
- multiple cysts in ovaries
- high level of male hormone (androgen)
- irregular periods
A pelvic exam, blood tests and ultrasound can be performed by doctors to confirm the diagnosis for PCOS.
What causes PCOS?
The causes of PCOS remain unknown. However, it is believed that high levels of androgen prevent the ovaries from producing female hormones and hinder ovulation. It is also believed that the excess androgen production stems from factors such as genes, insulin resistance, as well as low-grade inflammation in the body.
Hormonal imbalances can affect a woman’s health in many ways. The most common PCOS symptoms are:
- Irregular periods
- Infertility
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Hair growth on the face, back, belly and chest
- Acne on the face, chest and upper back
- Weight gain
- Male-pattern baldness
- Darkening of the skin around body creases such as at the back of the neck, groin, and under the breasts
- Increased risk for metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases
- Depression
How can TCM treat PCOS?
In the TCM point of view, PCOS stems from kidney, liver and spleen malfunctions. PCOS is mainly a spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome, combined with phlegm and dampness, blood stasis as well as liver qi stagnation.
Therefore, the TCM treatment principles for PCOS based on patients’ symptoms are to strengthen kidney and spleen functions, remove phlegm and dampness, improve liver qi and blood circulation. Herbal medication and acupuncture can be prescribed to achieve these treatment principles. There is also research done by institutions to prove that herbal medication and acupuncture when used in combination, are effective in promoting ovulation and follicular development [1], regulating the menstrual cycle and balancing sex hormones levels [2].
Some useful herbs include:
- Palm leaf Raspberry Fruit (覆盆子)
- Short-horned Epimedium (淫羊藿)
- Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome (香附)
- Swordlike Atracylodes Rhizome (苍术)
- Semen Persicae (桃仁)
- Chinese Angelica (当归), etc.
Commonly used acupoints are:
- San Yin Jiao (三阴交)
- Qi Hai (气海)
- Guan Yuan (关元)
- Zi Gong (子宫)
- Zhong Ji (中极), etc.
PCOS is a hormonal disorder and a deficiency syndrome with complications (虚实夹杂) in TCM's perspective. Therefore, in order to witness the TCM treatments’ efficacy for PCOS, long-term treatment is required. However, besides taking regular herbal medication and receiving acupuncture treatments to treat PCOS, lifestyle interventions such as having a healthy diet and regular exercises are also crucial. Losing weight, coupled with TCM treatments can effectively help to regulate your menstrual cycle, improve ovulation and insulin levels to ease overall PCOS symptoms.
References:
1. Zhu J, Arsovska B, Kozovska K. Acupuncture Treatment for Fertility. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2018;6(9):1685-1687. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.379
2. Saunders N. Acupuncture And Herbs Beat Hormones For Menstrual Irregularity. Healthcmi.com. https://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1941-acupuncture-and-herbs-beat-hormones-for-menstrual-irregularity. Published March 11, 2019. Accessed December 26, 2019.
