What is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome):

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work. In normal condition, the eggs in cysts that are small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries grow to maturity and get released regularly. However, with PCOS, immature eggs fail to become mature for ovulation and cysts with immature eggs are piled up around the ovaries, leading to challenges with the regular menstrual cycle and fertility [1].

What are the causes for PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There are few factors that might play a role in the development of PCOS.

• Excess androgen: Androgen is the male hormone. Production of too much androgen interferes with ovulation [1].
• Insulin resistance: Insulin is a hormone that allows cells to use sugar. If cells are resistant to insulin, then blood sugar levels increase, leading to more production of insulin. Too much insulin can cause our body to make too much androgen, which is a male hormone that may disturb ovulation [1].
• Low-grade inflammation: People with PCOS have a type of chronic, low-grade inflammation that causes polycystic ovaries to produce androgens [1].
• Family history of PCOS [1].

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Evidence-Based Medicine for PCOS:

To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in women with PCOS, researchers analyzed the outcomes of 5 clinical trials with 364 participants. The findings revealed a significant improvement in menstrual frequency with acupuncture [2]. Additionally, a separate analysis of 13 clinical trials involving 917 participants demonstrated a notable reduction in testosterone levels through acupuncture [2]. Since elevated testosterone is common in women with PCOS, these results indicate that acupuncture could be considered as a potential treatment for addressing irregular menstrual periods associated with PCOS.

In addition, the combination of herbal medicine and moxibustion has shown potential in treating PCOS. A meta-analysis of clinical trials aimed to assess the effectiveness of this combination revealed significantly higher pregnancy rates in the group receiving herbal medicine with moxibustion compared to those using only western medication [3]. Moreover, the group that received both herbal medicine with moxibustion and western medication demonstrated a significantly higher pregnancy rate than the group solely on western medication [3]. These findings suggest that herbal medicine and moxibustion could serve as alternatives or complementary therapies to western medication for managing PCOS and infertility.

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References:

[1] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022b,September 8). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439

[2] Wu, J., Chen, D., & Liu, N. (2020). Effectiveness of acupuncture in polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine, 99(22), e20441. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000020441

[3] Kwon, C. Y., Lee, B., & Park, K. S. (2018). Oriental herbal medicine and moxibustion for polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 97(43), e12942. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012942

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Disclaimer:

This website and its contents are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Whenever possible, it is advised to seek professional care from a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical treatment.