Have you been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS? Many women do not become aware that they have it until trying to get pregnant. Some indicators of PCOS are a late onset of the first menstrual cycle, irregular menstrual cycles, and problems with ovulation. Women with PCOS have cysts on their ovaries. These are visible during an ultrasound. Your lab work may also show blood sugar as well as hormone issues.
Women with can additionally experience the following:
- Acne,
- Scalp hair loss,
- Heavier facial or body hair,
- High testosterone levels,
- Very high sex drive,
- Reduced breast tissue.
It is wise to note that not all women with PCOS have all of these symptoms.
In my 16 years as a Fertility Acupuncturist and RN in Corte Madera, California, I have treated hundreds of women with PCOS. I have also seen instances in which PCOS is masked. So symptoms are less harsh. This can be the case if a woman is consistently on birth control pills at an early age and/or for a long period. However, fewer complaints does not mean getting pregnant will be easier. Frequently, PCOS is discovered when birth control pills are stopped to become pregnant and there is no consistent ovulation or menstruation.
So how does acupuncture help for you if you have PCOS? Here is what science says. First of all, multiple scientific papers cite that PCOS effects are reduced with consistent acupuncture. 1
More specifically
In 2011 the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism published a study focusing on electro-acupuncture treating women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). As opposed to usual medical treatment or exercise alone, it found that:
- Electro-acupuncture (EA) balances hormones in women with PCOS.
- Electro-acupuncture (EA) regulates the menstrual cycle in women with PCOS.
- Electro-acupuncture (EA) promotes ovulation in women with PCOS. 2
In case you are not familiar with Electro-acupuncture, it uses what is called microcurrent. Microcurrent is measured in milliamperes. 1 Milliampere is 1/1000th of a single ampere. So this is very small and gentle stimulation. What do you feel in an acupuncture treatment with electro-acupuncture? The sensation is a light tapping or fluttering. Because it is so relaxing, typically my patients fall asleep during their sessions with me.
Stay tuned for Part II of PCOS, Babies and You blog next week. I will discuss in more detail how Acupuncture balances female hormones. These are key in helping you become pregnant. All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. Please enjoy. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions here. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish. For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com.
Many people may not believe in acupuncture, but I personally agree with it. Synthetic medicines are just so bountiful today that they have turned into huge businesses not considering the plight of sick individuals. I will definitely try acupuncture because it is non-toxic and painless.
Thank you, Elaine for your message! Yes big pharma is big industry at this time in history. That is not to say medications are all bad. Longer life expectancy and more reliable recovery from severe infections is largely due to the availability of the appropriate medications. Acupuncture is a valid method to enhance so very many physical struggles whether it is seeking to become pregnant, improving athletic performance or even healing more quickly after a surgery or injury.
Thank you for your message! You are correct that acupuncture has very few risks or side effects as compared with drug reactions. That being said we are also indebted to basic medications for example: the development of penicillin which kept people from dying of relatively small infections.