What is PCOS?

Are you struggling with irregular periods, cystic acne, mood swings, fatigue, or difficulty losing weight? You could be dealing with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), a common endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age. It’s estimated that up to 1 in 10 women worldwide experience some variation of PCOS.

PCOS disrupts the balance of hormones in the body, leading to a variety of symptoms beyond just irregular or missed periods. These can include insulin resistance, excessive hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism), thinning hair on the scalp, depression and anxiety, and difficulty getting pregnant. Additionally, PCOS can raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and mood-related issues.

While there is no cure for PCOS, conventional Western medicine often falls short of providing the relief many women need. As a result, an increasing number of women are turning to natural treatments to better manage their symptoms.

Acupuncture has emerged as a powerful ally for those with PCOS. Although PCOS itself cannot be cured, complementary therapies such as acupuncture, along with other Chinese medicine practices, can provide long-lasting relief and help manage symptoms more effectively.

PCOS With or Without Cysts

PCOS can manifest in different forms, with or without ovarian cysts. In fact, it’s important to note that some women may have what’s known as “lean” or “non-cystic PCOS,” where ovarian cysts aren’t present at all. At its core, PCOS is primarily a hormonal and metabolic disorder, rather than just a condition related to ovarian cysts.

Even if your ovaries appear normal on an ultrasound, you can still be diagnosed with PCOS based on other symptoms, such as elevated androgen (male hormone) levels, insulin resistance, and irregular or missed periods. These hormonal imbalances disrupt your body’s normal functions, leading to a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms, even without the telltale cysts.

PCOS With or Without Irregular Periods

You can still have PCOS even if your periods are regular or semi-regular. While irregular cycles are a common symptom of PCOS, other signs can point to the condition, even if your menstrual cycles seem fairly normal. Symptoms like painful cystic acne, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), male-pattern baldness, unexplained weight gain, skin tags, tubular breasts, sleep apnea, and insomnia can all be indicators of PCOS.

In addition, despite having regular periods, you may be experiencing anovulation, which means your ovaries are not releasing eggs regularly. This can make it much harder to conceive, even if your cycles seem normal. PCOS is a complex condition that affects many aspects of your health, and it’s important to recognize all the symptoms, even those outside of just menstrual irregularities.

Birth Control Pills Isn’t a Cure

When you visit a doctor for PCOS, the typical first-line treatment is often birth control pills, which are prescribed to help regulate your menstrual cycles and manage acne. While hormonal therapies like birth control can offer temporary relief, they don’t address the root causes of PCOS. Once you stop taking the medication, your symptoms may return, often just as severe as before. Even medications like metformin, which are commonly prescribed to help manage insulin resistance, are not long-term solutions on their own.

PCOS is a complex condition that involves both hormonal imbalances and metabolic issues. As a result, relying solely on short-term medications doesn't provide lasting relief. Without addressing the underlying imbalances, many women find themselves back at square one. Managing PCOS effectively requires a holistic, long-term approach that goes beyond medications and works to restore balance to your body over time.

The Effect of Stress on PCOS

PCOS is closely linked to chronic inflammation, where the body’s immune system is constantly activated. This ongoing inflammation can contribute to insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar levels, and an overproduction of androgens (male hormones). Stress is a major factor that exacerbates inflammation in the body, creating a vicious cycle. When stress levels rise, inflammation increases, which in turn can trigger a flare-up of PCOS symptoms, such as acne, weight gain, and irregular periods. This heightened stress and inflammation can then lead to even more stress, perpetuating the cycle.

If left unaddressed, this dangerous loop can have a profound impact on your physical and emotional well-being. Managing stress and inflammation is crucial to breaking the cycle and improving overall health. Acupuncture has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing both stress and inflammation. By promoting relaxation and balancing the body’s energy flow, acupuncture helps to calm the nervous system and reduce the inflammatory response, offering significant relief for PCOS symptoms and preventing the negative cycle from spiraling out of control.

The Effect of Poor Sleep on PCOS

The relationship between sleep and PCOS is complex and intertwined with stress and inflammation. Many women with PCOS experience constant fatigue, feeling drowsy and tired throughout the day, yet struggle with falling or staying asleep at night. This disruption in sleep patterns can have a significant impact on the condition, worsening insulin resistance, increasing androgen (male hormone) production, and interfering with ovulation. Poor sleep can also exacerbate other PCOS symptoms, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break.

Addressing this issue is crucial, as poor sleep not only affects your energy but can also worsen the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS. Acupuncture can be a helpful solution for improving sleep quality. By promoting relaxation, balancing hormones, and reducing stress, acupuncture can help restore a more restful sleep cycle, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering androgens, and supporting overall hormonal balance. Better sleep can also support better ovulation, giving women with PCOS a powerful tool to manage their condition more effectively.

Acupuncture Can Help with PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition without a definitive cure, and many conventional treatments offer limited relief. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics evaluated acupuncture's effectiveness in improving ovulation and menstruation rates, as well as hormonal balance in women with PCOS. The study found that acupuncture significantly improved monthly menstrual regularity compared to no treatment, and ovulation rates improved when acupuncture was compared with no treatment. Additionally, acupuncture in addition to medication showed benefits in reducing luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios, testosterone levels, fasting insulin, and successful pregnancy rates.

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at specific points on the body to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. Despite what many might expect, acupuncture is typically painless and is often described as deeply relaxing, with many patients even falling asleep during the treatment. Acupuncture has been shown to regulate insulin sensitivity, lower androgen levels, improve ovarian health, regulate menstrual cycles, and reduce stress. By addressing factors such as stress, lifestyle, hormonal imbalances, and environmental influences, acupuncture offers a gentle and holistic approach to managing PCOS.

Incorporating acupuncture into your healthcare regimen is a safe, natural method that supports overall well-being. With regular sessions, many individuals experience significant improvements in both physical and emotional health. Acupuncture can help you feel more like yourself again.

Seek Expert Help Today

If you’re struggling with irregular periods, persistent acne, unexplained weight gain, chronic fatigue, and hormonal imbalances, acupuncture can offer the relief you need.

Dr. Cindi Ignatovsky, located in Campbell, CA, has been providing holistic treatments for women with PCOS for over 20 years. With her extensive experience, she has successfully helped hundreds of individuals in Campbell and the San Jose area and can help you restore your body's natural hormonal balance as well.

While PCOS is a chronic condition, acupuncture is effective ways to manage its symptoms and improve your quality of life. Contact Dr. Cindi today to discuss a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Text 408-761-6251 or click here to book your appointment today with one of the South Bay’s most experienced Women’s Health acupuncturists. •