Auckland Acupuncture Centre Ltd (The Original)

Auckland Acupuncture Centre Ltd 223 Balmoral Rd Mt Eden Ph 630 9388

At Auckland Acupuncture Centre we specialise in treating all gynecological disorders.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

• PCOS may be hireditry, lifestyle habits may also contribute to PCOS.

• PCOS is now thought to be the leading cause of infertility, affecting between 5 – 10% of women who are of reproductive age.

• PCOS is a syndrome and not a disease, therefore the combinations of symptoms vary, making it hard to recognize that there is a problem.

• Many women may not know they have it until they cannot fall pregnant, and begin to investigate this.

• Up to 25% of women of reproductive age will have small cysts on the ovary, and have some or all of the symptoms, this is called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, 75% of the above 25% of women may show no symptoms at all, this is called Polycystic Ovaries.

• PCOS is a hormonal disorder, caused by the body making too many male hormones, this disrupts the hormonal balance causing a lack of menstruation, infertility, and other issues such as insulin resistance and hirsutism.

Symptoms may include:
• Absent periods
• Irregular periods
• Excessive hair growth
• Acne.
• Difficulty in becoming pregnant.
• An increase of fat around the waist.
• Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes.
• Cravings for high-carbohydrate foods and sugars.
• Possible difficulty in breast-feeding.
• Possible changes in breast shape
• Baldness, or thinning hair.
• Cysts on the ovaries.

How Acupuncture Helps PCOS

The abnormalities in the ovary are only a symptom of an deeper dysfunction, not the cause. Acupuncture treatment will treat the underlying cause of problem as well as treating the symptoms.

Acupuncture will...

Balance the endocrine system to normalize the production of hormones that regulate ovulation.

Stimulate blood production ensuring an adequate supply of blood to sustain a normal menstrual cycle, ensure a healthy endometrium, nourish the eggs and support a healthy pregnancy.

Help dissolve the thick, waxy coating found on the surface of the ovaries to improve ovarian function, enhance egg quality.

Regulate the sympathetic nervous system to relax the body, reduce stress and influence healthy ovulation.

Eat organic foods and avoid processed foods. People who have PCOS already have a hormonal and/or chemical imbalance, and processed foods contain chemicals, additives and artificial colorings, which make conditions worse.

Avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners, soda, fruit juice and refined carbohydrates, which impact insulin resistance. Eat only complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat or grains, oatmeal, and brown rice.

Avoid cold food and ice cold drinks. Cold food and drinks take longer to go through the digestive system and slow the body’s metabolism. People who have PCOS usually also have a low metabolism. Having warm drinks and foods are better for PCOS sufferers

Avoid physical and mental exhaustion; get plenty of rest and maintain regular sleep patterns. Longer hours of regular sleep can play a major role in maintaining good homeostasis and general well being

Eat plenty of fresh vegetables--like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dark green vegetables, which contain high amounts of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). EFA regulates hormonal balance, which is very important when trying to conceive.

Avoid alcohol consumption. Alcohol can lead to a disturbance of hormonal balance.

Stop smoking. Smoking may affect the fertility in tubal pregnancies, cervical cancer, pelvic infection and early menopause.

This page was last updated 18/05/2010