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.

What Is PCOS?

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.).