The Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) with Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is PCOS?

In women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the ovary doesn't make all of the hormones it needs for any of the eggs to fully mature. Follicles may start to grow and build up fluid but no one follicle becomes large enough. Instead, some follicles may remain as sacs/cysts. Since no follicle becomes large enough and no egg matures or is released, ovulation does not occur.The distinctive appearance of PCOS is a thick, shiny, white coating overlying many rows of cysts on the surface of the ovary. These ovarian changes give PCOS its name ("poly" = many, "cystic" = cysts). PCOS is believed to be the most common hormonal abnormality in women of reproductive age and affects approximately 1 in 10 women (an estimated 5 to 7 million women in the United States).

What are the Causes of PCOS?
The cause(s) of PCOS is unknown at this time; research suggests that many women with this condition may have decreased sensitivity to insulin. When cells are resistant to insulin it means that the effect of insulin on sugar, and other functions, is deficient. More insulin than normal is required to be produced to ensure that the body cells absorb enough sugar. This leads to high insulin levels in the blood stream which, among other effects, make the ovaries overproduce male hormones, called androgens, leading to hormonal imbalances that lead to symptoms of PCOS.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS is considered a syndrome because it has a number of unrelated symptoms. For this reason, PCOS often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Symptoms include:

• Irregular menstrual cycle (infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding)
  
• Infrequent or no ovulation
  
• Weight gain or obesity
  
• Increased levels of male hormones, called androgens, which may lead to excessive hair growth on the face +/or body (especially the face, chest, abdomen, nipple area, or back)
  
• History of diabetes, over-production of insulin, and inefficient use of insulin in the body
  
• Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
  
• Patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, groin, underarms, or skin folds
  
• Skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area

Have you been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome? Call Aiyana Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs for your free 15 minute consultation.212-894-0767

Posted by Sharon A. Wyse L.Ac.