Acupuncture and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Coastal Natural Therapies strive to provide utmost sensitivity to women on the Gold Coast experiencing hormonal disorders. PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a disorder affecting 12 – 18% of women around reproductive age throughout Australia. This chronic hormonal imbalance affects menstrual regularity, fertility and emotional wellbeing. The condition can be extremely painful and unsettling, however recent studies and results have shown Acupuncture to assist in regulating sex hormones in the ovaries and may assist in decreasing the symptoms of PCOS. Acupuncture has demonstrated to improve menstrual frequency and to decrease circulating testosterone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (1)

If you are experiencing PCOS you are often faced with symptoms such as;

• Irregular periods
• Painful periods, often with clotting
• Acne on the face and body
• Excess facial or body hair
• Hair loss
• Difficulty becoming pregnant
• Weight fluctuations
• Blood sugar dysregulation

Studies have also shown women suffering from PCOS have increased anxiety levels which further decreases their chances of conception.

In one study acupuncture was shown to have a“significant and dramatic improvement on the ovarian physical structure… effectively improving morphology and ultrastructure of the ovaries. Acupuncture effectively regulated hormones and restored normal levels of many endocrine secretions. Excess androgens are responsible for acne, excess hair growth and the cessation of ovulation. Acupuncture successfully restored conversion of these excess androgens to estrogen” (2).

Exercise and diet is extremely important for managing PCOS and the specifics can be tailored to your presentation, however avoiding refined sugars and carbohydrates is advised. Ensuring you have adequate healthy fats such as avocado, raw nuts, seeds, olive & coconut oil is important for blood sugar regulation. Whilst a variety of dietary fibre from lentils, beans, chickpeas, vegetables and whole fruits can assist in excreting excess hormones and toxins. Drink plenty of water (min 2L in summer, add an extra 1L when exercising) to also assist with flushing toxins and ensuring your body is hydrated – we are mostly water afterall!

Exercise is extremely important and 4-5 times a week is advised. Walking the dog and incidental exercise is great, however a more targeted approach is worthwhile, so ensure cardio is 1-2 times a week (high intensity walking, running, cycling etc) and some form of weight bearing exercise is also great, such as yoga, weights or an at home regime (push ups, squats, lunges etc).

If you are suffering PCOS and are wanting to find out how we can help you, an initial consultation will determine your own personal treatment plan and set you on a path back to health, please give us a call on 5531 6461 or email us on info@coastalnaturaltherapies.com.au

© Coastal Natural Therapies Gold Coast

1. Johansson et al., Acupuncture for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism (2013). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23482444
2. https://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1274-acupuncture-regulates-sex-hormones-in-pcos