Polycystic Ovaries

Acupuncture for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

If you have PCOS acupuncture may help. There are many clinical trials which conclude that acupuncture has a positive effect on PCOS, and can help to increase your chances of getting pregnant. For instance, a trial was carried out  in 2007 where  121 women with PCOS were trying to get pregnant. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group were given conventional medication, the other acupuncture. The results were that pregnancy rates were significantly higher for those receiving acupuncture than those receiving medication. See PCOS Clinical Study

Symptoms of PCOS:

* Lack of periods or a long cycle.
* Increased facial and body hair.
* Acne on the face.
* PCOS can cause women to become overweight. This is because it effects the balance of the hormone insulin, which causes increased storage of fat in the body.

Diagnosis

Your GP will may think that you have PCOS if you have some of the above symptoms. Blood tests and ultrasound scans can then be used to confirm this.

Changing you diet can help

As well as having regular acupuncture, keeping your weight down is known to increase the fertility of women with PCOS. A low sugar and low fat diet is recommended. Because of the link between PCOS and insulin problems, a low G.I. diet is best. This means avoiding sugary, processed foods, and having more vegtables and wholefoods in your diet.

 

The British Acupuncture Council also have a lot of information on acupuncture and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (especially the research lower down the page) on the following factsheet:

Infertiliy Acupuncture Fact Sheet