Treating PCOS with Acupuncture and Rhodiola
The Facts
PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common diagnosis that affects up to 10% of the population.
PCOS is primarily a problem with ovulation resulting from too many androgens (testosterone).
It’s best defined as a set of symptoms including excessive facial and body hair, weight gain, acne, hair loss and infertility.
PCOS cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound.
Ovaries are filled with ovarian follicles— basically small, normal cysts. Each month these cysts form, burst and are reabsorbed.
With normal progression to ovulation, ovaries will have up to 12 developing follicles and up to 25 developing follicles in teens. One follicle will become larger and dominant, suppressing the others for the rest of the cycle.
Without progression to ovulation (as with PCOS), all the follicles keep growing, resulting in many small undeveloped follicles or cysts, thus the term Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
The appearance of polycystic ovaries means you did not ovulate that month. It does not explain why you did not ovulate or predict whether you will ovulate in the future.
The 4 Types of PCOS
At Rocky Coast, we treat the individual person, not the condition and with PCOS it is no different.
No two clients are given the exact same treatment!
In order to have a successful treatment in place, we need to define what precisely is the origin of the PCOS, and we do this by differentiating the type of PCOS that is presenting based on the following 4 types:
Insulin Resistant PCOS
Insulin resistance means, normal blood surge, but too much insulin. Too much insulin can impair ovulation and cause your ovaries to make testosterone instead of estrogen.
Post Pill PCOS
Just what it sounds like. Sometimes birth control pills can cause or worsen insulin resistance. Often times, ovulation will not return for months or years after coming off birth control pills.
Inflammatory PCOS
When you have irregular periods, elevated testosterone, with no insulin resistance, plus signs of inflammation such as joint pain, skin conditions, headaches, digestive issues.
Adrenal PCOS
Driven by an abnormal stress response and is defined by normal testosterone and no insulin resistance.
Strategies for Treating PCOS
One powerful strategy for each type of PCOS and how acupuncture addresses each one specifically.
Insulin Resistant PCOS
Quit sugarThis is not easy, but if you have insulin resistance, any amount of sugar pushes you deeper into the weight gain, acne, etc. of insulin resistance. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean you will be insulin resistant forever.
Acupuncture can help by managing sugar cravings. Also, at Rocky Coast we develop dietary strategies to regulate blood sugar.
Post Pill PCOS
Consider zinc25-30mg zinc suppresses testosterone and supports ovarian function and zinc deficiency is very common after the pill.
Acupuncture helps to regulate hormones and to break out from “stalled hormones” that often occur with the pill.
Inflammatory PCOS
Take a good probioticSpore based probiotics help to heal and seal the lining of the gut which in turn reduces inflammation in the body.
Acupuncture helps by reducing inflammation and strengthening the digestive system.
Adrenal PCOS
Consider rhodiola or ashwagandhaBoth rhodiola and ashwagandha are adaptogens that calm the brain and strengthen the adrenal glands, therefore improving response to stressful situations.
Acupuncture is one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress and down regulate the sympathetic nervous system “fight/flight” to parasympathetic nervous system “rest/digest”.
Key Takeaway
The “one-size-fits-all approach" doesnt work.
Based on which PCOS you have, we tailor the treatment to meet your needs.
Reach out to book a fertility consult to start your road to regular cycles and optimizing fertility.
Call 207.775.2059 or visit rockycoast.me to schedule a consultation.
