Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and endocrinological condition that affects many people of reproductive age (up to 15% of reproductive age women). PCOS has become the leading cause of menstrual disorders and anovulatory infertility.
The major clinical presentations of PCOS are:
- Ovulatory dysfunction or anovulation
- High androgen levels or hyperandrogenism
- Polycystic ovaries
- Associations with insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction.
Often, these physiological processes cause signs and symptoms such as absent or irregular, prolonged, and/or infrequent periods (amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, menometrorrhagia), hirsutism (e.g. head hair or male pattern hair loss, excess facial and body hair growth, acne), weight gain, etc. As well, PCOS is often correlated with increased risk of developing cardiometabolic, psychiatric, and other chronic diseases.
Needless to say, PCOS can be understandably challenging to manage as people may have different presentations and metabolic complications. It is important that people with PCOS be provided with as many therapeutic options as possible that promote ovulation, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce stress, mitigate disease risk, and improve their quality of life.
Acupuncture can be a safe and effective way to manage PCOS
Acupuncture is a system of medical treatments that primarily involves applying small needles or pressure (as in acupressure) to specific points in the body. Acupuncture is part of therapies ascribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with underlying philosophical principles associated with Confucianism and Taoism. In TCM, health stems from the alignment of Qi (referred to as “vital energy”) and acknowledgement of different qualities of nature, such as the yin/yang dichotomy.
The impact of acupuncture treatments on a variety of conditions can be further amplified by combining acupuncture with electrical stimulation – or electroacupuncture. Multiple clinical trials and animal studies have shown that manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture can have significant changes on markers and health experiences associated with PCOS.
The different presentations of people with PCOS make acupuncture a suitable and promising therapy for managing symptoms and complications of PCOS, as acupuncture treatments (i.e. acupuncture point selection) are generally tailored to the individual’s unique bodily experiences.
How acupuncture may help people with PCOS
- Hormone regulation and metabolic support: Acupuncture may help regulate pituitary and ovarian hormones – such as LH and FSH (improving FSH/LH ratios), testosterone. As well, it may improve blood sugar control and cholesterol metabolism.
- Fertility support: Acupuncture may have a beneficial effect on egg and embryo quality (particularly at an early stage of egg recruitment). In combination with other therapies such as assisted reproductive therapy (ARTs like IVF, IUI, ICSI) and herbal and nutritional supplementation, acupuncture may be useful in infertility in improving ovarian response, pregnancy and ovulation rates.
- Stress reduction: By promoting relaxation, acupuncture may help reduce stress levels, which can exacerbate PCOS symptoms.
- Improved ovulation and menstrual regularity: Regular acupuncture treatments might stimulate ovulation and promote regular ovulatory menstrual cycles in some people with PCOS.
Acupuncture can be a valuable tool in managing PCOS symptoms. Its potential benefits in hormone regulation, stress reduction, fertility support, and ovulation and menstrual regularity make it a safe, effective, and distinctive therapeutic option for those seeking well-rounded approaches to thriving with PCOS.
If you think acupuncture is right for you, then do consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you are getting the most comprehensive care as much as possible.
References
- Lim CED, Ng RWC, Cheng NCL, Zhang GS, Chen H. Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Jul 2;7(7):CD007689. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007689.pub4. PMID: 31264709; PMCID: PMC6603768.
- Van Hal M, Dydyk AM, Green MS. Acupuncture. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532287/
- Ye Y, Zhou CC, Hu HQ, Fukuzawa I, Zhang HL. Underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy on polycystic ovary syndrome: Evidences from animal and clinical studies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Oct 24;13:1035929. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1035929. PMID: 36353235; PMCID: PMC9637827.