How Does TCM View PCOS

by Jun (Jimmy) Wang

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)is a complex disease that affects multiple systems such as the endocrine and reproduction systems. PCOS also affects the metabolism and can even affect the gonads. Typically, people with PCOS present in the clinic with anovulatory menstrual disorders. This may include amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), functional uterine bleeding, and oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstrual periods). This is often accompanied by hirsutism (excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern), obesity, infertility, and slightly larger ovaries.

There is not a single pathological mechanism. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views this disease differently than western medicine. TCM treatments for PCOS are based on overall systemic regulation, with particular focus paid to kidney deficiency as the root treatment. 

And treatments may focus on invigorating the spleen, removing phlegm, removing dampness, regulating qi, and removing blood stasis, for example. 

TCM herbs combined with acupuncture, are used to regulate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (the system primarily responsible for regulating reproductive activity and the release of ovarian hormones) to achieve the comprehensive effect of normal ovulation, normal menstruation, normal androgen, and normal fertility.

The TCM practitioner will provide treatments to invigorate the kidneys and promote blood circulation; this is the basic method to treat PCOS using Chinese medicine. Kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine is believed to have endocrine hormone-like effects, which can regulate the female gonadal axis in both directions. A recent research study has found that after treating PCOS with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine treatment, the Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increased, the ratio of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to FSH decreased, and estradiol (E2) increased.

Therapists are well-advised that acupuncture and herbal medicine, with a focus on kidney-tonifying and blood-activation, can improve local blood circulation in the ovaries, increase ovarian blood flow, promote follicular development, induce ovulation, and promote the corpus luteum, leading to positive outcomes for those with PCOS.

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