Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition affecting 5-10% of women of child-bearing age.
Causes
Although the underlying cause is not well understood, PCOS is generally characterized by an excess production of androgens (male hormones - usually testosterone), anovulation (absent ovulation), irregular periods, amenorrhea (absent periods), and by a varying degree of insulin resistance. When cells cannot use insulin, it accumulates in the blood and leads to several symptoms including gaining weight and disruption of the menstrual cycle. This disturbance usually results in absent ovulation, and therefore infertility.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment
In TCM Polycystic ovarian syndrome is defined as enlarged ovaries or abdominal masses, which are the result of water accumulating in the pelvic cavity, which transforms into phlegm. The root cause is kidney yang deficiency (usually constitutional from birth), which fails to transform, evaporate and transform fluids in the lower abdomen, which accumulate and form phlegm and dampness. The result is anovulation and many patients also show symptoms of blood stasis and stagnation of Liver qi.
The treatment principle is usually to warm the kidneys and resolve dampness and clear phlegm simultaneously. This is treated by a combination of internal herbal medicine (to resolve phlegm) and acupuncture to stimulate ovulation. Often the treatments work on two levels at once, regulating the menstrual cycle to encourage ovulation and also clearing the phlegm and damp to treat the underlying cause. We aim to treat women with PCOS for a minimum of 3-6 months.
Acupuncture and Polysystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS London
