Understanding PCOS: A Whole-Body Approach

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that affects around 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth. While it’s often thought of as a reproductive condition, PCOS goes well beyond the ovaries—impacting mood, metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and energy levels.

At The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic, we take a whole-body, personalised approach to managing PCOS, grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and supported by current research.

The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic offers personalised care using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to support fertility, IVF, pregnancy, and women’s health. Our clinics are located in Westmead, Sydney CBD, Alexandria, Gosford, Melbourne, and Mornington.

What Is PCOS?

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PCOS is typically diagnosed when two of the following are present:

Irregular or absent ovulation
Signs of higher androgens (like acne, excess facial/body hair, or high testosterone on bloodwork)
Ovarian changes seen on ultrasound (such as increased follicle count or enlarged size)

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to have cysts on your ovaries to have PCOS—and not everyone with these signs will receive a PCOS diagnosis.

Getting the Right Tests

If you’re wondering whether PCOS might be contributing to your symptoms or fertility challenges, talk with your GP or specialist about these investigations:

Hormones: LH, FSH, testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, prolactin, TSH

Metabolic markers: Fasting insulin, glucose, HbA1c

Ultrasound: To assess ovarian morphology and follicle count

PCOS can present in many different ways. Bloodwork might show:

High LH:FSH ratio (often >2:1)
Elevated testosterone
Low SHBG
High fasting insulin

Every person’s presentation is unique—and your treatment should reflect that.

How Chinese Medicine Understands PCOS

In TCM, PCOS isn’t a single diagnosis. It’s seen as a pattern—or combination of patterns—of imbalance in the body. Common patterns we see include:

Kidney Yang deficiency (low energy, slow cycles, feeling cold)
Liver Qi stagnation (irregular cycles, mood swings, PMS)
Spleen Qi deficiency with Damp (fatigue, bloating, weight gain)
Blood stasis (painful or absent periods)
Phlegm-Damp accumulation (ovarian cysts, sluggish metabolism)

Your practitioner will assess your pulse, tongue, symptoms and cycle history to identify your unique pattern—and then develop a treatment plan to support you.

What Does the Research Say About Acupuncture for PCOS?

Acupuncture is a supportive therapy that helps your body regulate itself. Here’s what the research suggests:

Supports ovulation – Regular electroacupuncture can restore ovulation (Johansson et al., 2013)
Balances hormones – Reduces LH and testosterone, helping with acne and unwanted hair (Jo et al., 2017; Yu et al., 2020)
Regulates cycles – Improves menstrual regularity and ovarian function (Chen et al., 2023)
Reduces inflammation – Particularly in the ovaries (Chen et al., 2023)
Improves sleep and mood – By calming the sympathetic nervous system
Enhances blood flow to the ovaries – Supporting healthy follicle development (Stener-Victorin, 1996)

One meta-analysis showed a 28% increase in ovulation and a 27% increase in conception when acupuncture was combined with Chinese herbs (Yu et al.).

Treatment Timing and Dose

Just like with medication, timing and consistency matter. The best results in studies have come from:

Bi-weekly acupuncture for at least 2–3 menstrual cycles
Use of electroacupuncture (mild stimulation through the needles)
Treatments adjusted to your cycle phase and individual pattern

Chinese Herbal Medicine for PCOS

Herbs are prescribed based on your TCM diagnosis—not a blanket formula. They may support ovulation, reduce inflammation, improve insulin resistance and regulate cycles.