Can acupuncture help PCOS and insulin resistance?

If you suffer from PCOS aka Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, you know that it can often be debilitating. Facial acne, irregular menses, struggles with fertility, and possibly struggles to loose weight. There is a strong link between women with PCOS and also having what is known as insulin resistance which makes them more prone to develop diabetes.

But can acupuncture help?

Let’s see what the research says…

Acupuncture and PCOS for ovarian health

Although ovarian cysts can sometimes go away on their own, other times they require extra treatment to be resolved. Ovarian cysts can be caused by a number of factors including an imbalance of hormones. Acupuncture works by bringing the body back to balance, regulating blood supply and hormone levels.

Acupuncture has proven helpful in strengthening the body’s immune system, as well as reducing symptoms of PCOS. Because acupuncture treats the whole body, it can help increase immune strength that can fight against polycystic ovary syndrome. Certain acupuncture points and protocols have been found in studies to help increase blood flow to ovaries and uterus, decrease inflammation, help to regulate hormones, and work to control blood sugar levels.

At Starting Point, we use a combined integrative approach to help our patients with PCOS. This may include our 3-fold plan of Diet and Lifestyle interventions, specific supplementations, and acupuncture to help reduce symptoms of PCOS. We have worked with many PCOS patients who struggle with fertility to help increase their chances of conceiving.

If you would like to learn more about our PCOS program, please give our office a call today at (425) 686-4498 to set-up your initial consultation.

Sources:

Chi E. D. Lim & Wu S. F. Wong (2010) Current evidence of acupuncture on polycystic ovarian syndrome, Gynecological Endocrinology, 26:6, 473-478, DOI: 10.3109/09513591003686304

https://www.cochrane.org/CD007689/MENSTR_acupuncture-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome

Wu, Jielei MDa; Chen, Di MDb; Liu, Nenghui MDa, Effectiveness of acupuncture in polycystic ovary syndrome, Medicine: May 29, 2020 – Volume 99 – Issue 22 – p e20441 doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000020441