Can acupuncture help with PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Fertility: Understanding the Connection

PCOS is a hormonal disorder affecting individuals assigned female at birth, impacting reproductive and overall health, with a significant concern being its effect on fertility.

PCOS is marked by hormonal imbalances causing ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgens, and polycystic ovaries. Its causes are unclear but involve genetic and environmental factors.

PCOS and Fertility

PCOS-related hormonal imbalances can disrupt ovulation, reducing conception chances. Elevated androgens can lead to insulin resistance and obesity, further affecting fertility.

How does acupuncture help PCOS?

Acupuncture may effectively treat PCOS by improving ovulatory dysfunction, enhancing oocyte quality, and increasing pregnancy and ovulation rates. It reduces hyperandrogenism, lowers testosterone, and treats insulin resistance, especially in obese patients. Acupuncture also helps manage emotional disorders like depression and anxiety in PCOS patients.

When combined with other treatments, acupuncture improves outcomes, such as pregnancy rates and insulin resistance, in PCOS patients. It shows promise in treating PCOS symptoms and enhancing treatment outcomes, though more research is needed.

References

Yang Ye et al Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022; 13: 1035929.