Acupuncture for PCOS and Infertility

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age and is one of the most common causes of hormonal imbalance and infertility. From a Western medicine perspective, PCOS is characterized by three primary features: irregular or absent menstrual cycles, elevated levels of androgens, and polycystic ovaries, which appear as multiple small follicles on the ovaries during an ultrasound. Not all women with PCOS will exhibit all these features, making diagnosis sometimes challenging.

Symptoms of PCOS

Women with PCOS may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• Irregular or absent periods

• Heavy/painful periods

• Excessive hair growth (hirsutism), particularly on the face, chest, and back

• Acne and oily skin

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

• Thinning hair or male-pattern baldness

• Infertility due to irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation

• Darkening of the skin, especially in creases such as the neck, groin, or under the breasts

• Skin tags, particularly in the armpits or neck area

PCOS can to be related to insulin resistance, stress and hormone imbalances, particularly an excess of androgens, which can disrupt ovulation and lead to fertility challenges.

Diagnosis of PCOS

A diagnosis of PCOS typically involves a combination of medical history, physical exams, blood tests to check hormone levels such as testosterone and prolactin, and imaging studies like an ultrasound to look excessive follicles on the ovaries. Doctors will also rule out other potential causes of symptoms such as thyroid disorders or hyperprolactinemia.

While conventional treatments like metformin, anti-androgen medications, and fertility drugs are often prescribed to manage PCOS symptoms, these approaches don't address the underlying imbalances that contribute to the condition. This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can play a crucial role in treating PCOS naturally and helping to boost fertility.

Understanding PCOS from a TCM Perspective

In TCM, PCOS is viewed as a combination of imbalances related to the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen organ systems. These imbalances manifest as stagnation of Qi (energy), blood stasis, phlegm accumulation, and deficiencies in Yin or Yang. By addressing these root imbalances through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes, TCM can help restore hormonal harmony, regulate menstrual cycles, promote ovulation and improve fertility.

How Acupuncture Helps Manage PCOS

Acupuncture is one of the most effective tools in TCM for treating PCOS. Regular acupuncture sessions can help:

1. Regulating Hormonal Imbalances

• Acupuncture helps balance the reproductive hormones (like estrogen, progesterone, and androgens) by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. This promotes regular ovulation and a healthier menstrual cycle.

2. Improving Insulin Sensitivity

• Both acupuncture and herbs like berberine can enhance insulin sensitivity, reducing insulin resistance often seen in women with PCOS. This helps lower androgen levels, reduce inflammation, and improve ovulation and endometrial health.

3. Reducing Inflammation and Stress

• Acupuncture reduces systemic inflammation and calms the nervous system, lowering stress hormones like cortisol. This supports hormonal balance and creates a more favorable environment for conception and implantation.

4. Enhancing Blood Flow to the Ovaries and Uterus

• Acupuncture improves blood circulation to the reproductive organs, which enhances egg quality, promotes egg maturity and ovulation. This is especially important for women with PCOS, as they may have a higher number of immature follicles that do not mature properly. Enhancing blood flow to the uterus also helps build the endometrial lining and promotes endometrial receptivity, helping with implantation.

5. Supporting Overall Reproductive Health

• Herbal medicine tailored to each individual's TCM pattern (e.g., formulas that tonify kidney or liver qi) and acupuncture promote overall reproductive function, addressing the root causes of PCOS symptoms and boosting fertility.

TCM Herbal Formulas for PCOS

In addition to acupuncture, herbal medicine is a powerful tool in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating PCOS. Chinese herbal formulas are custom-tailored to address each woman's specific imbalances.

Diet and Lifestyle Tips for PCOS

In addition to acupuncture and herbal medicine, making dietary and lifestyle changes is crucial for managing PCOS and boosting fertility. Here are some key tips I recommend to my patients:

1. Balance Blood Sugar:

   Insulin resistance is a major factor in PCOS. Focus on eating 3 balanced meals a day with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to stabilize blood sugar. Avoid skipping meals, processed foods, refined sugars, and simple carbohydrates. Limit carbohydrates but don’t remove them all together, choose more complex carbohydrates always pair them with fat, fiber and protein to prevent massive blood sugar spikes

2. Add Fiber-Rich Foods:

   Increasing your intake of fiber is essential for women with PCOS. Fiber helps bind excess androgens, such as testosterone, in the digestive tract, facilitating their elimination through stool. This can reduce the impact of high androgen levels, which contribute to symptoms like acne, excessive hair growth, and irregular ovulation. Incorporate more vegetables, legumes, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Fiber also stabilizes blood sugar and supports healthy digestion—both vital for hormonal balance.

3. Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Foods:

   Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as wild-caught fish, chia seeds, and flaxseeds, can help reduce inflammation. Add more leafy greens, berries, nuts, and seeds to your diet to support overall health and fertility.

4. Reduce Dairy and Gluten:

   Some women with PCOS find that reducing or eliminating dairy and gluten helps to reduce inflammation and balance hormones.

5. Exercise Regularly:

   Exercise, such as walking, swimming, yoga and weight lifting can improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate your menstrual cycle. However, avoid over-exercising, as this can negatively impact ovulation.

6. Manage Stress:

   Managing stress is essential for hormone regulation. Try incorporating relaxation techniques such as meditation, acupuncture, deep breathing, or journaling into your daily routine.

7. Take probiotics and eat prebiotics

   For women with PCOS, eating a diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics is essential for maintaining gut health and improving hormone balance. Prebiotics, found in fiber-rich foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus, feed beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthy microbiome. Probiotics, found in fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, help replenish these good bacteria, which can reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and support balanced hormones. A healthy gut also aids in managing weight and reducing the risk of metabolic issues, both of which are critical for managing PCOS symptoms and improving fertility.

How I Help Women with PCOS Get Pregnant

As an acupuncturist and herbalist specializing in fertility, I’ve helped many women with PCOS regulate their cycles, improve ovulation, and get pregnant naturally. My holistic approach addresses the root causes of your hormonal imbalances, and I tailor each treatment to your specific needs.

Through regular acupuncture sessions, customized herbal formulas, and personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations, we can restore balance to your body and increase your chances of conceiving. If you’re struggling with PCOS and fertility challenges and live in the West Hollywood or Los Angeles area, book a consultation with me. Let’s explore how Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can support you on your journey to motherhood.