A 2014 PCOS pregnancy research study concluded that acupuncture increased PCOS pregnancy rates, ovulation rates, endocrine secretions, and decreased clinical symptoms for patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Researchers at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine investigated ovulation and pregnancy rates in women who had been diagnosed with PCOS. Group one received acupuncture, herbal medicine, and therapeutic exercises. Group two received estrogen tablets and metformin. The acupuncture, herbs, and exercise group outperformed the drug group.
Acupuncture Increases PCOS Pregnancy Rates
The combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and therapeutic exercise in this PCOS pregnancy research produced higher rates of ovulation and pregnancies in PCOS patients. This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) protocol produced a 47 percent ovulation rate and a 32 percent pregnancy rate.
Acupuncture Component
Patients in the TCM protocol group received acupuncture at acupoints CV4, SP6, and BL23. Gentle needle manipulation was applied every ten minutes to elicit a better effect, and the total needle retention time was thirty minutes. Acupuncture treatments started on the second day following completion of menstruation and ended on the first day of the next cycle.
Exercise Component
The exercise component of this PCOS pregnancy research consisted of a slow jog, five days a week, for 2000 meters within thirty to thirty-five minutes. The exercise was stopped during menstruation and resumed afterward.
Herbal Medicine Component
Herbal medicine formula consisted of the following ingredients prepared into a tea :
Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) 30 g
Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) 30 g
Shan Zha (Fructus Crataegi) 30 g
Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) 30 g
Dan Shen
Participants took the herbs twice a day, morning and night, but did not take them during menstruation.
Data Measurement
Data for this PCOS pregnancy research was measured using transvaginal ultrasound, tracking the following levels:
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone
body mass index (BMI)
ovarian volume
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
luteinizing hormone (LH)
testosterone (T)
fasting plasma glucose (FPG)
fasting insulin (FINS) level
insulin rating changes
pregnancy rates
ovulation rates
Results of PCOS Pregnancy Research
Acupuncture plus herbal medicine and therapeutic exercises resulted in higher ovulation and pregnancy rates than drug therapy. The findings in this PCOS pregnancy research are consistent with prior research. Sun et al. concluded that acupuncture enhances “the normal transformation of ovarian androgen to estrogen” and regulates oxidative enzymes. Another study, Jedel et al., concluded that electroacupuncture improves menstrual frequency, balances sex steroid levels, and reduces acne in women with PCOS.
Next Steps
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References
Bai, S. L., Jiang, X. H., Li, Y. L., Huang, W. Q., Wang, L. & Liu, X. Z. (2014). The effect of weight-loss herbal decoction combined with acupuncture and exercise on endocrine markers and pregnancy outcomes in non-obesity patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Chinese Journal of Family Planning. 22(8).
What our Clients are Saying
I was unable to get pregnant. The fertility clinic diagnosed me with PCOS. We were not in a position to pay for IVF (they said my condition would make it very hard to get pregnant on my own). My internet research led me to Raleigh Acupuncture. Jade was wonderful. Her treatments got my cycle normal for the first time in my life. After that I got pregnant! I’m very grateful for her skill and care.
I love Raleigh Acupuncture! I went for infertility. I was a mess. My period came every two weeks and was really uncomfortable. I was anemic and the iron supplements were giving me terrible constipation. I also had PCOS. I didn’t even know if I was ovulating. The treatments totally fixed my cycle. After four months I was getting my period every four weeks and my anemia was gone. They taught me how to know when I was ovulating and the “best time” to get pregnant. It worked. I’m three months pregnant right now and very happy. They totally changed my life. Thank you Raleigh Acupuncture!!
