Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or "PCOS" is a common hormone disorder that affects 5%-10% of women. To be diagnosed with PCOS, a woman must have 2 of 3 possible issues: chronic lack of ovulation (anovulation), chronic high testosterone (hormone) levels (hyperandrogenism), and ovaries that have multiple small cysts containing eggs (polycystic).
Although the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is unknown, it's thought to be related to abnormal hormone levels and is associated with the following:
-Insulin resistance & obesity: High levels of insulin causes the ovaries to produce too much testosterone, which interferes with the development of the follicles (the sacs in the ovaries where eggs develop) and prevents normal ovulation.
- Weakened immune system: There is an observed link between autoimmune diseases and PCOS because of another characteristic of PCOS, low progesterone. This can trigger overstimulation of the immune system. In fact, current research is revealing that PCOS may itself be an autoimmune disease.
-Accumulation of toxins, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from pesticides, and too many processed, packaged and canned foods in the diet that contain EDCs, like the BPA in plastic water bottles.
-High glycemic diet that causes imbalances in the hormone insulin: Think lots of refined carbs and sugar that spike blood sugar, and not enough plant matter, proteins and healthy fats (olive oil, avocados) which all help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
*Please note, there’s no single one of these factors that necessarily caused PCOS on their own. But more likely a genetic predisposition that was “turned on” by one or more of these factors - as is the case with many chronic illnesses.
Doctors will usually prescribe hormonal therapies including but not limited to progestin and/or birth control pills, and Aldactone to induce ovulation.
So what can you do within to help unwind this hormone imbalance?
👉Make dietary shifts towards whole foods regimen with lots of plants, proteins and healthy fats. Move away from refined carbs and sugars - any of these reduced to a flour or a concentrated sweetener will create spikes in blood sugar that can continue to damage your insulin response.
👉Incorporate more movement into your week. It can be as simple as switching to a standing desk (at least part of the time) and walking. Experiment with incorporating some aerobic activity into your week, like running, dancing, swimming, yoga, and HIIT routines. The latter two can be done at home via Youtube. Aerobic activity can have powerful effects on the hormonal chain that drives PCOS.
“Several studies have examined the impact of exercise interventions on reproductive function, with results indicating improvements in menstrual and/or ovulation frequency following exercise. Enhanced insulin sensitivity underpins the mechanisms of how exercise restores reproductive function. Women with PCOS typically have a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that are risk factors for CVD (cardiovascular disease, another issue associated with PCOS). There is irrefutable evidence that exercise mitigates CVD risk factors in women with PCOS.”
👉Limit packaged foods, plastic bottles and canned foods to reduce your ingestion of EDCS. Add in foods from a local greenmarket, and try to eat organic as much as possible to limit your ingestion of EDCs that may be in commercially produced foods.
👉Use acupuncture as a powerful adjunctive therapy. Many studies have shown that regular acupuncture can improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in patients with PCOS. A review of multiple high quality studies concluded that “Acupuncture therapy may have a role in PCOS by: increasing of blood flow to the ovaries, reducing of ovarian volume and the number of ovarian cysts, controlling hyperglycaemia through increasing insulin sensitivity and decreasing blood glucose and insulin levels, reducing cortisol levels and assisting in weight loss and anorexia.” Other studies have concluded that acupuncture may help to regulate some of the genetic expressions that drive PCOS and Diabetes Type 2.
In our clinical practice we have seen PCOS patients begin to menstruate again when periods had stopped, and incidence of pregnancy in those who had been unsuccessfully trying to conceive, but note, that has not been documented in studies yet. When there are more long term studies of PCOS treatment with acupuncture, we hope to see large scale demonstrations of these effects.
If you would like to gain more agency with your PCOS naturally, book an acupuncture session with us!
Your practitioner can discuss all of the above with you to help get you started on the right path.
Resources:
Palioura E, Diamanti-Kandarakis E. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2015 Dec;16(4):365-71. doi: 10.1007/s11154-016-9326-7. PMID: 26825073.
Woodward A, Klonizakis M, Broom D. Exercise and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1228:123-136. doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_8. PMID: 32342454.
Zheng R, Qing P, Han M, Song J, Hu M, Ma H, Li J. The Effect of Acupuncture on Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profiles in Patients with PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Mar 22;2021:5555028. doi: 10.1155/2021/5555028. PMID: 33824676; PMCID: PMC8007365.
Wu J, Chen X. Acupuncture therapy protects PCOS patients with diabetes by regulating miR-32-3p/PLA2G4A pathway. Am J Transl Res. 2021 Aug 15;13(8):8819-8832. PMID: 34539997; PMCID: PMC8430091.