What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovaries have a large number of immature eggs (these are the cysts). POC is estimated to affect up to one in ten UK women. It can lead to long gaps between periods or an erratic cycle. It sometimes occurs when women come off the oral contraceptive pill.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POCS) is associated with excess androgens (male hormones) in the blood stream. Issues with insulin balance are common and these imbalances can lead to symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth and weight gain.

Can acupuncture help with PCOS?

We take a full medical case history for our PCOS clients and look for patterns which enable us to treat your whole system. The mechanisms in the development of PCOS are complex and systemic.

Using Chinese medicine we look at the body and mind as a whole system and aim to treat both the root and the symptom. The treatment strategy will vary from person to person according to the symptom picture.

Acupuncture is a safe treatment for PCOS, and studies have found it can help:

• Increase blood flow to the ovaries
• Reduce ovarian volume and the number of ovarian cysts
• Reduce cortisol levels and reduce stress
• Improve pregnancy rates in patients with PCOS undergoing IVF
• Improve metabolic function of patients with obesity-type PCOS

---