PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is the leading cause of #infertility in women. The good news is: having PCOS doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. While the hormone imbalance and metabolic issues caused by PCOS may interfere with fertility it is also favourably treated with a combination of conventional medications, vitamins, dietary changes, exercise, lifestyle changes and of course…. #ACUPUNCTURE

Symptoms of PCOS:

-Irregular menstrual cycles (fewer than 8 per year)
-Anovulation (Inability to release an oocyte aka ovulate)
-Excess Androgen (male) hormones -Excess body hair, particularly on the face and chin
-Increased body weight/high BMI (and difficulty losing weight with diet and exercise)
-Low energy/fatigue

-Acne
-Moodiness
-Insulin resistance and/or pre-diabetes

How does acupuncture treat PCOS?

Studies have shown that women who use acupuncture as part of an integrative approach to care have been able regulate their hormone levels and increase ovarian blood flow leading to higher pregnancy and live birth rates.

Acupuncture 2-3 times a week over a 16-week period has shown to benefit women with PCOS. This research demonstrated that receiving acupuncture over a 16-week period helped women regain ovulation and also lower testosterone levels. The study concluded “acupuncture and physical exercise improved hyperandrogenism and menstrual frequency more effectively than no intervention in women with PCOS. Acupuncture was superior to physical exercise and may be useful for treating hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea.”

The benefits of using acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is that you will receive a customized treatment plan that treats YOU as a whole, not just the disease. PCOS presents differently for each person (some women don’t even know they have it), so it is important to take a thorough assessment and identify the underlying imbalances that are causes the presenting symptoms. Using a holistic approach, a Registered Acupuncturist is able to assess and diagnose a body system disorder based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. Treatments are based on your TCM diagnosis and main goal: having a baby!

Best foods to eat for PCOS

Eat low Glycemic Index (GI) carbohydrates such as vegetables and whole grains. It is very important for women with PCOS to completely avoid refined carbohydrates including sugar, white flour, whole wheat flour and products made from them, eg pasta, breads, desserts, pop, and candy. These foods contribute to insulin resistance and make it harder to manage PCOS symptoms.
Keep your blood sugar stable with a daily schedule of meals and snacks every three to five hours that includes some protein and good fats (for example some nuts/nut butter, seeds/seed butter, hardboiled egg, hummus dip). Protein foods take up to five hours to digest while carbohydrate foods digest within 30 minutes. Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This can help regulate insulin levels and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Eat at least five servings a day of vegetables including two of leafy greens. These foods are high in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants that support reproductive health.
Have a daily serving of legumes like black beans or lentils.
Incorporate lean protein sources: chicken, fish, tofu – to help regulate blood sugar levels and support healthy ovulation.
Eat at least three daily servings of fruits such as berries — which have a lower glycemic impact — eat fruit as part of a meal or with a protein.
Limit or eliminate milk and dairy as these can aggravate internal dampness.
Pay careful attention to portion sizes in order to moderate glucose load and minimize insulin resistance.
Add one or two Tbsp of cinnamon on cereal each morning to help decrease insulin resistance.
Include prebiotic and probiotic foods which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. Prebiotics are found in whole grains, onions, bananas, garlic, honey, leeks, artichokes and some fortified foods. Probiotic foods are found in fermented foods (sauerkraut, live culture yogurt, kim chi, miso).
Increase healthy fats: avocado, nuts and olive oil are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and support ovulation.