Acupuncture for PCOS
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1. Overview
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a term to describe multiple cysts/follicles on the ovaries. The European definition of PCOS is now outlined as having three clear symptoms: an increase in testosterone levels, irregular or no ovulation and multiple cysts on the ovaries (12 or more follicles measuring 2-9mm). In America, the definition of PCOS does not include multiple cysts on the ovaries, in case you find different information on the internet.
Around 34% of women undergoing IVF were found to have PCO; cysts on the ovaries but without the hormonal abnormalities. Multiple cysts increase levels of AMH and oestrogen.
2. Diagnosis
In slim women with PCOS, higher levels of LH are often found, whereas women who are overweight, tend not have higher levels of LH but rather higher levels of insulin (hyperinsulinaemic) and testosterone. Research has shown that acupuncture helps to regulate insulin levels, thereby regulating testosterone and PCOS. It can also regulate AMH levels.
The presence of cysts is found using an ultrasound (an MRI is better), whilst the levels of testosterone are measured using a blood test. Irregular ovulation is determined by either an ultrasound mid-cycle or a progesterone blood test 7 days before the cycle ends. If they are less than 5cm in diameter, then surgery is not often recommended. However, larger cysts that obstruct fertility may need to be removed. Any type of surgery is invasive and not recommended unless it is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, a blood test can check levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, which are often high in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
3. Prevalence
Around 34% of women undergoing fertility treatment such as IVF were found to have polycystic ovaries (PCO); cysts on the ovaries but without the hormonal abnormalities. These multiple cysts are mainly empty follicles and don’t contain a maturing egg.
In women that don’t ovulate, polycystic ovaries (PCOS) accounts for around 50% of cases. Asian women are more likely to suffer from PCOS as well as being insulin resistant.
4. Symptoms
The symptoms of PCOS usually start from puberty. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome will often have some of these symptoms:
- Acne
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Anxiety and depression
- Autistic traits
- Decreased SHBG levels
- Dysmenorrhea
- Excess hair growth
- Greater levels of oestrone than oestradiol
- High blood pressure
- Higher levels of prolactin
- Higher levels of male hormones (testosterone)
- Higher levels of LH (in around 40% of women)
- Higher levels of androstenedione
- Increased distribution of body hair (hirsutism)
- Insulin resistance
- irregular periods
- Obesity (in around 40-50% of women)
- Male style cognitive functioning
- Reduced blood flow to the uterus
5. Causes
In slim women with PCOS, higher levels of LH are often found, whereas women who are overweight, tend not have higher levels of LH but rather higher levels of insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and testosterone. Metformin is often prescribed for women with high insulin levels, as it’s also used for insulin resistant diabetes. If your doctor wants to check your LH levels for PCOS, a blood test is normally taken around day 8 of the menstrual cycle and if it is PCOS, the LH level will be above 10 IU/L.
Western medicine believes that high levels of insulin cause greater levels of androgens (testosterone, androstenedione and SHBG) and therefore a greater number of follicles (cysts) to grow causing multiple (poly) growths, when some should naturally die off. These multiple follicles then release high levels of oestrogens. In traditional Chinese medicine, high level of testosterones is too much yang, which causes accelerated growth.
Long-term expose of oestrogens to the uterus can lead to over-enlargement of the lining as oestrogens maintain and build the uterus lining. Excessive oestrogen can also lead to possible ovarian and breast cancers. Some women may also develop type II diabetes.
As there is already higher than normal levels of testosterone in the body caused by lower levels of SHBG, it is not advisable to take DHEA supplements as DHEA increases levels of testosterone.
Consumption of red and white meat can increase levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, which increases levels of androgens such as testosterone and oestrogen.
The causes of PCOS are:
- Poor diet (excessive damp)
- Lack of exercise (excessive phlegm)
- Emotional stress (qi stagnation)
- Overwork (yin deficiency)
- Long term contraceptive pill use (yin excess)
- Consumption of both red and white meat
6. Risks
If PCOS patients fall pregnant, there is an increased risk of having a spontaneous miscarriage. In traditional Chinese medicine this increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage is due to the obstruction of qi and blood to the uterus caused by damp and blood stasis, which is the cause of PCOS.
Women with PCOS are more likely to give birth to a baby with autism, due to higher than normal levels of testosterone during pregnancy. These high levels of testosterone cause a decrease in levels of oxytocin, which is also attributed to repetitive and anti-social traits of Autism.
7. Treatment of PCOS
Laser surgery (laparoscopic ovarian drilling) or heat therapy is sometimes used. In women who are not trying to conceive, oral contraceptives are prescribed to reduce LH levels and therefore testosterone.
Acupuncture for PCOS
One part of treatment for PCOS in both western and traditional Chinese medicine is to reduce weight. This is achieved through a good diet and regular exercise in both medical paradigms. Metformin is usually prescribed to reduce insulin levels although recent large research studies have failed to show any benefit.
By reducing sympathetic nerve activity and balancing hormone levels, acupuncture has been shown in studies to better regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce the number of ovarian cysts, stimulate ovulation, enhance blastocyst implantation and regulate the menstrual cycle in women with PCOS. It can also help to control the effects of obesity and anorexia.
In traditional Chinese medicine, issues to do with the digestive system in women will be looked at and treated. Most women with PCOS will have dampness with some heat and stasis. Apart from reducing the intake of damp and heat causing foods, a Chinese medicine doctor can boost the spleen and kidney’s function of transforming dampness inside the body. Acupuncture can help regulate blood flow, water metabolism and improve digestive function.
A lot of research conducted by Dr Stener Victorin has proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in women with PCOS compared to the control group and were more likely to become pregnant. Evidence base research has shown that women who received acupuncture treatment had better insulin levels, thereby regulating testosterone and PCOS and live births.
In women with PCOS, AMH levels are higher than they should be as there are more eggs trying to mature. It has been shown to reduce AMH levels and the ovaries thereby regulating them and improving PCOS and fertility.
The stimulation of acupuncture points has also been shown to affect hormone levels by promoting the release of beta-endorphin in the brain, which affects the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone by the hypothalamus, follicle stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland, and oestrogen and progesterone levels from the ovary, thereby regulating normal function of the reproductive system without and adverse events. This helps to treat the secondary causes of PCOS that are pituitary originating, whilst the excessive yang in the uterus can be treated using Chinese herbs. It can also increase blood flow to the uterus.
Chinese herbs for PCOS
Using Chinese herbs in conjunction with acupuncture is more effective at reducing dampness and stasis. I prescribe a very effective formula for treating this condition. Chinese herbs that reduce damp and stasis are used with others to help invigorate the uterus, whilst biotin in food or supplements helps to regulate insulin levels. B complex vitamins such as myo-inositol, can help egg maturation in women with PCOS.
8. My Fertility Guide
Read more on how to improve egg quality in my best selling book My Fertility Guide. Available as a paperback, Kindle and audiobook.