TCM Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS )

Western View

TCM Pathology

Decoration Differentiations

Research

References

Western View

Polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) is a luteal story defect typified by anovulation, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and obesity. It affects 5 - 10 % of women.

PCOS is repeatedly unusual as several small cysts located within the ovaries and chronic slip to ovulate. PCOS recurrently occurs with one or more of the following factors:

• Unfortunate estrogen misbalancing the hypothalamus - pituitary - ovarian ( HPO ) swivel.

• Imbalances in sugar metabolism and insulin levels.

• A propensity for diabetes.

• Obesity.

• Increased lipid levels.

• Higher prolactin levels.

PCOS involves a deficiency of communication between the gonadotropin releasing hormones and hormones of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. A dysfunction of the endocrine and metabolic systems regularly results in a poor response to hormone stimulating fertility drugs. Many PCOS patients resist ovulation stimulating drugs, which hyperstimulate the ovaries and create a multitude of side effects.

Typically, the ovaries are much larger than average, with multiple rows of cysts, buried with a thick, slimy, waxy or hard apparent coating. These cysts produce male hormones that block follicles, causing them to degenerate. An overproduction of estrogen or an increase in insulin levels can cause androgen factors, like high testosterone, which in turn causes wanton body or facial hair or a thinning hairline.

The HPO centre affected with too much estrogen and not enough progesterone raises the luteinizing hormone ( LH ) and testosterone. Western diagnoses evaluate via ultrasound and blood tests for LH, follicle stimulating hormones ( FSH ) and testosterone. It is possible to have either long cycles with heavy oppressive or no ovulation or light cycles with little mirthless.

PCOS can combine menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, unworkable uterine gloomy, infertility, hirsutism, and obesity. The uterine lining fails to shed each month, thereby increasing the possibility of endometrial cancer. Western treatment includes such medications as:

• Clomid to promote ovulation.

• Gonal - F or Pergonal ( gonadotropins ).

• Human chorionic Gonadotropin ( hCG ).

• Gluchophage, Metformin or Actos to direction insulin resistance.

• Steroids to balance the androgen hormonal effects, which, over the long term, can cause liver damage and a reduction of bone density.

TCM Pathology

PCOS is a Yang disorder with imbalances stimulating the second half of the menstrual cycle. Involved organ systems include the Spleen, Lungs, Liver and the Kidneys. Ofttimes, PCOS derives from a deficiency of Kidney Yang, in its inability to transform, transport and evaporate fluids in the lower body. The accumulation of water in the pelvic cavity enlarges the ovaries, leading to Phlegm / Dampness or Blood stagnation.

Ornament Differentiations

Phlegm / Dampness:

• Amenorrhea, light periods or infertility.

• A need to frequently “ clear your throat, ” which is caused by stress or emotions.

• Abdominal fullness or distention.

• Joint inflammation or aching.

• Heaviness in the chest, tummy area or body in general.

• Feeling sleepy or loafing after a meal.

• Obesity.

• Hirsutism.

• Sinus congestion, lipomas, yeast infections or excessive vaginal discharge.

• Diarrhea or foul smelling stools ( indicates heat ).

• Mucus - like menstrual blood or stools.

• Pasty, swollen tongue body.

• White and sticky or greasy tongue coating.

• Weak or slippery pulse.

Blood stagnation:

• Amenorrhea, light periods, infertility.

• Heaviness, discomfort or pain in the chest or stomach.

• Excessive vaginal discharge.

• Hirsutism.

• Pale - risque or bluish - spicy, swollen tongue body.

• Sticky, white tongue coating.

Research

Stenor - Victorin ( 2000 ) regulated ovulation in rats with electro - acupuncture ( EA ). This study proved that EA inhibits the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Chen ( 1997 ) showed that acupuncture normalized dysfunction of the hypothalamus - pituitary - ovarian ( HPO ) pivot, and that EA may promote the hustle of the body and argumentation sensitive mechanisms normalizing GnRH, LH, and estrogen.

The outgoing nervous system ( SNS ) is one of three parts of the autonomic nervous system. It mobilizes the body’ s wealth under stress and is constantly active at a basal level to maintain homeostasis. It is obliged for the up and down regulating of many of the homeostatic mechanisms. Fibers from the SNS motivate midpoint every organ system from L - 2 baby - 2. It provides very diverse regulatory functions suspicious the ovaries, adrenals, pancreas, liver, and the endocrine system. The longitudinal organizations of the meridians such to L - 2 to T2 help you catch on why acupuncture is so effective in inhibiting this major nerve system. There is a correspondence between the SNS, segmental neural structures, the matching vessels, and nodal pathways. The Kidney, Liver, Heart, and Brain ( HPO ) systems directly affect the SNS. This may partially expound why EA is so effective in treating PCOS. The ability to waveless the SNS, and ajar up the flow of Qi and Blood through these acupuncture meridians, resolves pathology that Western medicine can’ t sometime comprehend.

Yoshimoto ( 1989 ) used the Chinese herbal formula, “ Wen Jing Tang” in a combined gonadotropin therapy resulting in ovulation in 43. 8 % of cases without ovarian worked up - stimulation. Wen Jing Tang is a formula used in cases of Deficiency and Cold in the Conception and Penetrating vessels; with stasis, and slight yin deficiency. It countered the effects of the Western medications resulting in ovulation.

Useful Acupuncture Points

Lu 7 ( R ) and K6 ( L ) regulate the Ren, HPO pivot, strengthen the Uterus and dissolve commonality. SP 6 connects the three Yin channels ( Liver, Kidney, Spleen ). Du 4 is the “ life gate” equated with the womb and useful in treating leucorrhea. Sp 9 is the water point on the Spleen channel. These points treat Kidney Yang deficiency leading to phlegm dampness.

Lu 7 and Ki 6 are also used for Blood stasis, in that they ajar the Ren and supervision water balance. St 29, Sp10, and UB 17 are useful for all Blood issues. Lv 14 treats dormant Qi.

References

Cai, Caress. ( 1997 ). Substitution of acupuncture for HCG in ovulation induction. Notebook of Ordinary Chinese Medicine, 17 ( 2 ), 119 - 121.

Chen, B. Y. ( 1997 ). Acupuncture normalizes dysfunction of hypothalamic - pituitary - ovarian pivot. Acupuncture & Electro - therapeutics Resources. International Daybook, 22 ( 2 ), 97 - 108.

Stener - Victorin, E., Lundeberg, T., Waldenstrom, U., Manni, L., Aloe, L., Gunnarsson, S., et al. ( 2000 ). Effects of electro - acupuncture on nerve growth factor and ovarian morphology in rats with experimentally induced polycystic ovaries. Biology of Reproduction, 63, 1497 - 1503.

Stener - Victorin, E., Waldenstrom, U., Anderson, S., & Wikland, M. ( 1996 ). Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro - acupuncture. Human Reproduction, 11, 1314 - 1317.

Yoshimoto, Y., Miyake, A., Tasaka, K., Aono, T., & Tanizawa, O. ( 1989 ). Ovulation following combined therapy with wen - jing - tang and clomiphene citrate therapy in anovulatory women. American Logbook of Chinese Medicine, 17, 243 - 244.