Managing PCOS Naturally with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting people with ovaries, yet it’s often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. Whether you’ve just received a diagnosis or have been navigating PCOS for years, it can feel frustrating, isolating, and overwhelming. I understand how discouraging it can be to hear that your only option is hormonal birth control, especially when you’re looking for answers and not just symptom suppression.
What Exactly Is PCOS?
PCOS is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition with a wide range of presentations. It’s typically diagnosed when at least two of the following are present:
Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
Elevated androgen levels, which may cause acne, excess facial or body hair, and scalp hair thinning
Polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound—meaning multiple small follicles that haven’t matured in a typical ovulatory pattern
Despite the name, you don’t need to have ovarian cysts to be diagnosed with PCOS.
Many people with PCOS also experience insulin resistance, which can make it harder to regulate blood sugar and may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Because PCOS affects hormone balance, metabolism, and reproductive function, it can show up in a variety of ways. Some people struggle with symptoms from an early age; others don’t realize they have PCOS until they start trying to conceive.
How Is PCOS Treated?
In conventional medicine, PCOS is often treated with hormonal birth control to regulate cycles or medications like metformin to support blood sugar balance. These tools can be helpful for symptom management, but they don’t necessarily address the underlying imbalances in the body and they may not be the right fit for everyone, especially if you’re trying to conceive or seeking a more holistic approach.
How Acupuncture Can Help with PCOS
Acupuncture offers a gentle, whole-person approach to managing PCOS. Treatments are individualized and work to support your body’s natural rhythms by:
Promoting regular ovulation
Regulating hormone levels and lower androgens
Regulate blood sugar
Improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, PCOS often stems from internal imbalances such as stagnation, dampness, or deficiency. Acupuncture helps to restore balance by addressing the root causes, rather than just masking symptoms.
Research shows that acupuncture may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and regulate cortisol and androgens which are all key factors in managing PCOS. Many patients also report improvements in digestion, sleep, and emotional well-being as their body comes back into balance.
Whether You’re Trying to Conceive or Manage Symptoms
PCOS is not something that resolves overnight, it’s a complex metabolic and hormonal pattern that takes time and consistency in treatment to shift. But with regular acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle support, and an approach tailored to your body’s unique presentation, it is possible to manage symptoms and improve fertility naturally.
Whether your goal is to conceive, get your cycle back on track, or feel more at home in your body, acupuncture offers a supportive, sustainable way forward. I meet you where you are, assess how PCOS is showing up for you, and work with your body, not against it, to bring things back into balance.
