Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, is one of the more common female endocrine disorders and is one of the leading causes of infertility in women. Women who have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome produce too much of the hormones known as androgens. Androgens are usually referred to as masculinizing hormones, but they are also found in women in smaller amounts. High levels of androgens affect the development and release of eggs during menstruation.
The eggs that are formed during menstruation, in woman with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, are very small and are not released from the ovaries. The eggs stay in the ovaries and form cysts. These “cysts” are actually immature follicles whose development has been disturbed due to impaired ovarian function.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can lead to numerous health problems. High levels of androgens affect women’s menstrual cycles. Women tend to have irregular, infrequent, or no menstrual cycle at all. Infertility is a side effect, due to the fact that women who do not produce eggs cannot get pregnant. Many women develop male sex characteristics. Some common symptoms are: deepening of the voice, male pattern baldness, decrease in breast size, and an increase of body hair in numerous places. Skin changes, such as acne, are a common symptom as well.
There are traditional treatment options for women with PCOS, to prevent serious problems and to help those who want to conceive children. It is important for women with this disease to maintain a healthy life style in order to keep their weight down. Exercise and nutrition are important. This is important in order to keep sugar levels low, as this helps normalize hormone levels. Normalizing hormone levels will help women to get and regulate their menstrual cycles. Medications such as birth control pills, diabetes medications, and fertility medications are used as treatment options. These medications reduce androgen levels and help with skin changes. Some fertility medications help to stimulate ovulation. In some cases surgery is even necessary as a treatment option. Luckily there is another cost effective, non-invasive, beneficial option: acupuncture.
Acupuncture treatment for PCOS is a viable option that we urge you to explore. Women who are treated for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, with acupuncture, have reported a large decrease in symptoms and improvement in normal hormone function after a period of treatments. Needles are inserted along the meridians related to the reproductive system. This helps stimulate the energy and blood flow that is running to these organs. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is primarily an attack on the sympathetic nervous system, so by placing the needles in the area of the abdomen and ovaries, it is believed to improve the reaction of the reproductive system. Acupuncture is known to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce testosterone levels in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This is due to the decrease in activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
Acupuncture treatment for PCOS addresses the root cause of the imbalance. It balances out the bodies’ energy and removes any blocks that prevent this energy from flowing freely. Acupuncture stimulates the bodies’ production of natural hormones and balances out the amount of different hormones a woman should have. Acupuncture allows the patient to get safe, drug free treatment, without all of the side effects that common medications have.
A recent study at Goteberg University in Sweden showed that acupuncture was able to help women in the study with PCOS to ovulate. There were further benefits: Those in the study were able to menstruate more regularly and lower their testosterone levels.
If you are suffering with PCOS please give us a call so we can help. Our consultations are free and our number is 954-977-9077. Our wellness center serves the residents of Margate, Coconut Creek, Parkland, Boca Raton and Coral Springs Florida.