PCOS is a relatively common condition in women, in fact it affects around 12-18% of women of reproductive age. It is a complicated condition in women where the ovaries become bigger than average due to multiple cysts or follicles inside the ovary that produce a variety of symptoms.

Diagnosis of PCOS is based on two of the following three findings:

1. No Ovulation
2. High androgen levels
3. Ovarian cysts

Common symptoms may also be:

–          Irregular menstrual cycle

–          Amenorrhoea

–          Excessive hair growth and acne due to increased free testosterone

–          Scalp hair loss

–          Reduced fertility due to less frequent or absent ovulation

–          Mood changes including anxiety and depression

–          Obesity

Western Medical Treatment of PCOS

The first action of a GP for a woman with PCOS may be to put the woman on a contraceptive pill to regulate the period. This may force regulation of the period but unfortunately masks the causes of the PCOS. Even young women who have not been diagnosed with PCOS, sometimes find that they have symptoms when they come off the pill when they to fall pregnant but can’t. When initially diagnosed with PCOS by your GP, this is the cruicial point that they must, but not in all cases unfortunately, implement a lifestyle and weight management program, which is crucial from the beginning to properly manage and treat PCOS. 

So what is the main issue of taking the pill? There are a few. The pill has been a great means of contraception for many years, however there are certain things to be aware of. Combined contraceptives appear to increase insulin resistance for one, which is part of teh issue causing PCOS, secondly they increase triglyceride levels and promote inflammation. For these reasons, it is not beneficial for a a woman diagnosed with PCOS to take this particular form of contraception.

For women wishing to conceive, Clomifene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene) may be prescribed to induce ovulation. Women with PCOS do not generally respond to Clomid as successfully as other women with different ovulation disorders, and Comid can be very drying to the mucous membranes. Women with unstable insulin and glucose levels may be prescribed Metformin (Glucophage, Diaformin) which is a drug that lowers insulin and reduces blood sugar levels, to help weight loss, to assist ovulation. If ovulation is not induced by Clomid or Metformin, a gonadotrophin drug may be used with an IVF cycle. Surgery is also an option if these three drugs do not work, however they carry the risk of complications such as damaged ovaries and adhesions.

Chinese Medicine views PCOS generally as a mixture of excess and deficiency. The deficiency usually manifests in the kidneys and its corresponding meridian (energy channel that winds around the body). When we refer to the ‘kidneys’ in Chinese medicine this is a different concept to the physical kidneys that regulate blood urea, blood pressure and filtration as they do in a western sense. The ancient Chinese viewed the kidneys as having a function beyond this. The kidneys also control balance over the reproductive organs and vital essence and energy (similar to DNA, RNA, a ‘sense of overall vitality’). When the kidneys become depleted they make the reproductive organs more susceptible to other pathogens such as dampness. Dampness in Chinese medicine is a pathogenic concept that congeals and coagulates fluid in the body that should be dynamic. Dampness internally is like the feeling of external humid tropical weather that makes you feel exhausted, but in a more solid internal state, that also makes you feel heavy and exhausted. This combination of deficiency and excess coagulates and stagnates the ovaries leading to pathogenesis.

Acupuncture has been shown in trials improve outcomes and fertility in sufferers of PCOS. Trial 1, Trial 2, Trial 3, Trial 4

Diet

Dietary changes may assist stabilizing and hopefully reversing the PCOS. The general rule is to reduce foods that have ‘damp’ and congealing qualities. Avoid especially high sugar foods, highly refine carbohydrates and dairy. Eat lots of different colored vegetables, organic proteins- especially fresh fish, lots of water. Sounds simple but it can help a lot.

Chinese Medicine Treatment

Chinese medical treatment involves herbal medicine to regulate the blood circulation, clear phlegm and reduce pain.

Acupuncture also regulates the blood circulation to regulate pain and return normal blood flow to the area carrying fresh oxygen and nutrients.