Acupuncture for PCOS

Recently, I’ve had a number of discussions with folks who have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) who are trying to navigate how to manage their condition. PCOS can present with a variety of symptoms and each person has their own mix of symptom presentation. That said, the treatment options within the Western Medicine paradigm are often hormonal birth control, ovulation triggering hormones (if the person is trying to become pregnant), and/or diabetes medications. There is understanding that diet and lifestyle changes can also help to manage the symptoms but in my experience, most folks who are working with a gynecologist are prescribed some sort of hormone or endocrine “regulating” medication to manage the condition as opposed to being advised to start diet and lifestyle modification. These medications may provide relief of symptoms but often do not address to the underlying cause of the PCOS and when a person stops taking their medications, symptoms usually return.

PCOS is a condition that is often well managed with East Asian Medicine (EAM) which includes acupuncture, herbal formulas, and nutrition and lifestyle modifications. When I work with PCOS patients, I asses their individual symptoms as well as their health goals — whether it’s preventing or encouraging pregnancy, reducing acne, managing weight, or any other symptoms they’re having. Once we are clear on where the patient is and where they want to be, we make a plan together. These plans typically includes regular acupuncture as well as herbal formulas custom created for their symptoms. One of the reasons that EAM is so powerful at treating PCOS is that each approach is customized to the person that is being treated. This means we do not treat symptoms you do not have and we do not ignore symptoms that cannot be treated by the available drugs.

My training is in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine so I am also happy to work closely with a patient’s current care team to compliment the existing treatment plan for symptom management.

Since PCOS is a long-standing condition, it will take time to get symptoms under control and move toward each persons health goals. That said, when working with a Licensed Acupuncturist, the results are often long-lasting and worth the effort.

If you have PCOS and are looking for alternatives to pharmaceutical options, or are interested in how Acupuncture can support the treatments you’re already undergoing, I encourage you to Book an Appointment or schedule a Complimentary 15-minute Consultation to learn more about how we can work together to manage your PCOS and resolve your symptoms.