Acupuncture Points for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Hi,
Today we will know about PCOS.
Four to ten percent of women of childbearing age have polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old.
In approximately 75% of cases where young women have problems with menstruation due to late puberty, PCOS is often diagnosed. Irregular, infrequent or absent periods, or periods with heavy flow and unbearable pain, are all variations of the problem. Sometimes PCOS presents itself much later in life when a woman of childbearing age stops using contraceptive pills and finds herself having very long cycles or no cycles at all, and is unable to conceive.
Today we will know about PCOS.
Four to ten percent of women of childbearing age have polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old.
In approximately 75% of cases where young women have problems with menstruation due to late puberty, PCOS is often diagnosed. Irregular, infrequent or absent periods, or periods with heavy flow and unbearable pain, are all variations of the problem. Sometimes PCOS presents itself much later in life when a woman of childbearing age stops using contraceptive pills and finds herself having very long cycles or no cycles at all, and is unable to conceive.
Symptoms of PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex syndrome that includes problems with a woman’s menstrual cycle (length, intensity), her ability to have children, her hormone levels, and her appearance (excessive hair growth on the chin and cheeks, acne, weight gain, baldness).
Women with PCOS often have ovaries that contain many small cysts, of a size seldom exceeding 0.5 cm.
The symptoms of PCOS can vary from woman to woman, with some women suffering more than others. Symptoms can include any of the following:
1. Infertility due to lack of ovulation (PCOS is the most common cause of infertility)
2. Anxiety; Depression
3. Menstrual irregularities: irregular or absent menses
4. Heavy menstruation (especially if periods are late)
5. Painful menstruation or pain during ovulation, bleeding in the middle of a cycle
6. Pelvic pain (distention, heaviness, stabbing pain)
7. Physical changes (often occurring at a later stage but not always): increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes, weight gain around the waist, an inability to lose weight despite physical exercise, acne, dandruff, thinning hair (looking like male baldness)
8. Multiple cysts on the ovaries diagnosed by ultrasound.
2. Anxiety; Depression
3. Menstrual irregularities: irregular or absent menses
4. Heavy menstruation (especially if periods are late)
5. Painful menstruation or pain during ovulation, bleeding in the middle of a cycle
6. Pelvic pain (distention, heaviness, stabbing pain)
7. Physical changes (often occurring at a later stage but not always): increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes, weight gain around the waist, an inability to lose weight despite physical exercise, acne, dandruff, thinning hair (looking like male baldness)
8. Multiple cysts on the ovaries diagnosed by ultrasound.
The cause of PCOS
The cause of PCOS is unknown, but most experts think that several factors, including genetics, could play a role. One main underlying problem with PCOS is hormonal imbalance. In women with PCOS, the ovaries make more androgens than normal. High levels of these hormones affect the development and release of eggs during ovulation. Researchers also think that insulin may be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the conversion of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store.
PCOS is generally diagnosed by a medical doctor after a thorough investigation of patient history, a physical and/or pelvic examination, pelvic ultrasound and endometrial lining thickness and blood tests to check hormonal levels. PCOS cysts need to be differentiated from functional cysts, which resolve on their own and require no treatment.
The ovaries, where a woman’s eggs are produced, have tiny fluid-filled sacs called follicles or cysts. As the egg grows, the follicle builds up fluid. When the egg matures, the follicle breaks open, the egg is released, and the egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus (womb) for fertilization. This is called ovulation.
In women with PCOS, the ovary doesn’t produce all of the hormones an egg needs in order to fully mature. The follicles may start to grow and build up fluid, but ovulation does not occur. Instead, some follicles may remain as cysts. For these reasons, ovulation does not occur and the hormone, progesterone, is not produced. Without progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent altogether. PCOS is a cause of infertility, as the eggs are not released and ovulation occurs irregularly or not at all.
Lifestyle Changes
i) Young women should have regular moderate exercise in the sun. Around the time of menstruation, exercise should be reduced.
ii) Relax and avoid strong emotions, especially around menstruation time.
iii) Avoid cold environments, foods and beverages (cheese, dairy products especially ice creams and milkshakes). On cold days during menstruation, use a hot water bottle and place it on the abdomen. Do not swim while menstruating.
iv) Cut out all forms of refined sugar and carbohydrates: white bread, pasta, white rice, rice cakes, most breakfast cereals, and all starchy, low-fibre foods.
Avoid sweeteners, soda, fruit juice and any drinks that rapidly raise the blood sugar level, as PCOS is linked to Type 2 diabetes.
v) It is important to record day one of your menstrual cycle, the duration, condition of the blood (quality, amount, colour). If you suffer from delayed periods or period pain, it is recommended you address this in the early stages in order to avoid polycystic ovaries.
Acupuncture for PCOS
Acupuncture treatments are typically given once a week and sometimes more often, especially when there is pain before menstruation or mid-cycle. The duration of treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs depends on the duration of the disease, intensity of the symptoms, and the Chinese medicine diagnosis. Typically, at least three months of continuous treatment is required.
Acupuncture points : ST28, ST30, K13, SP6, BL23, GV4.
Thanks.
References
http://vitalitymagazine.com/