PCOS & Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture

[belle75]

Hi Chris,

Welcome and thanks for starting this thread. I am contemplating acupuncture or TCM. Does this help with PCOS treatment? and in what way would it make a difference in TTC with PCOS?

thanks in advance.

[Chris Tang]

Dear belle75,

Thank you for the warm welcome.

To answer your question, YES TCM can help with PCOS treatment and can also be used as a primary form of treatment.
In TCM, PCOS is seen as Blood stagnation in the Chong (penetrating vessel) and Ren mai (Conception vessel) stemming from KIdney/Liver deficiencies. But then again, not all PCOS sufferers are the same so the diagnosis can vary from each condition and person.

Symptoms of PCOS can include anovulation(lack of ovulation), irregular, painful, heavy or lack of menstruation, hirsutism (excessive hairgrowth mainly found in male), weight gain and even result in miscarriage. So to answer your second question, YES PCOS can affect TTC people. It incurrs hormonal imbalances, anovulation and disrupts the body's normal menstrual cycle. TCM and acupuncture can work hand in hand in invigorating and tonifying blood circulation, and nourishing the kidneys and liver.

Chinese medicine has a reknown high success rate in treating PCOS. How swiftly results are seen depends on number and size of cycts, and severity of condition. I do suggest u give TCM a go since u have nothing to lose except maybe your cysts! I hope that answers your question(s). And if u have anymore questions do feel free to fire away. I check the forums on a daily basis and will reply whenever i can.

[belle75]

Thanks for the reply,Chris. I have 25 cysts on my one side and 22 on the other (as per scan in Mar 08). I am not overweight (54Kg since starting a low Gi diet, BMI 24) but carry most of my excess weight around by stomach. Have started losing hair quite drastically. Meds: metformin, EPO, Vit E, CoQ10.

Any suggestions? Do you think I would a candidate for TCM?

cheers

[BellyBelly]

I've started a new thread from the introduction discussion.

[Chris Tang]

Dear belle75,

Indeed u make a great candidate for TCM, have you attempted any other forms of therapy? How long have u been diagnosed?

As i said in my previous posting, not all people with PCOS exhibit the same symptoms, they all vary. In your case u have the cysts but only minimal symptoms like the cysts and the hairloss for now. You could still be fertile and it MIGHT not affect your TTC chances but they do pose as a future risk in the long run if the condition becomes chronic and escalates.

You live in melbourne right? Maybe u could drop by the centre on fridays and we could talk about it?

[belle75]

Hi Chris,
I was diagnosed in Apr 08. am on metformin. I have lots more questions so will definitely make an appointment to see you. Currently I'm working on Fridays but will be free in a few weeks. Hope to chat soon.
kind regards,