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Polycystic ovary syndrome

 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder, characterized by increased levels of androgens and/or insulin, multiple ovarian cysts and menstrual dysfunction.

The exact causes for PCOS remain unclear. The most common symptoms of PCOS include amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, or irregular periods, acne, hirsutism, alopecia, conceiving problems. PCOS is usually treated with oral contraceptives.

Acupuncture and PCOS

Due to the possible side effects of this treatment, such as increased risk of thrombosis, alternative medicine also plays a role in the management of PCOS. Electroacupuncture is a new form of acupuncture. It incorporates the neurophysiological effect of electrical stimulation on specific neural ending, regulates autonomic reflexes and normalizes body function by releasing neurotransmitters. Recent studies show that:

 

1

Electro-acupuncture improves menstrual frequency and ovulation. After 10-13 weeks of treatment ovulation frequency during treatment was higher in the acupuncture group than in the control group.

 

2

Electro-acupuncture decreases androgens levels. Testosterone, its metabolites as well as other sex hormones levels were decreased in patients receiving acupuncture in comparison with those treated with oral contraceptives only.

3

Electro-acupuncture reduces level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). After 16 weeks of acupuncture treatments AMH hormone level is decreased by 17 %. Results were maintained 8 months after the treatment.

 

 

4

Electro-acupuncture decreases cyst formation. The changes in neuroendocrine system, along with the balanced hormonal levels, following an acupuncture treatment course, naturally lead to improved ovarian function, including regularization of the ovulation.

 

 

Clinical trials have confirmed the positive outcomes for patients with PCOS, treated by electro-acupuncture. Acupuncture with electrical stimulation could be  safe and easily accessible option for patients with PCOS.

 

Sunrise Neuro-Acupuncture Integrative Clinic is an acupuncture and Chinese medicine clinic in Westboro, Ottawa. We provide care for Polycystic ovaries  If you would like to receive more information about this treatment, you can call us at: 613-853-9099

Reference List                                                      

  1. Julia Johansson, Elisabet Stener-Victorin Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Effect and Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Ovulation Induction. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Published online 2013 Sep 2.
  2. Johansson J, Redman L, Veldhuis PP, Sazonova A, Labrie F, Holm G, Johannsson G, Stener-Victorin E. Acupuncture for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2013 May 1;304(9):E934-43.
  3. Jedel E1, Labrie F, Odén A, Holm G, Nilsson L, Janson PO, Lind AK, Ohlsson C, Stener-Victorin E.Am J Impact of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;300(1):E37-45.
  4. Leonhardt H, Hellström M, Gull B, Lind AK, Nilsson L, Janson PO, Stener-Victorin E. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone and ovarian morphology assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in response to acupuncture and exercise in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2015 Mar;94(3):279-87.
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