Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS/PCOD) is a common hormonal condition that affects 10-20% of women during their reproductive years. PCOS/PCOD is also one of the most prevalent causes of infertility among women. The primary problems of PCOS/PCOD are hormonal imbalances and dysfunction of the ovaries. Women with PCOS/PCOD have irregular or missing periods, anovulatory menstrual cycles, and elevated androgen and/or testosterone levels.
Medical interventions for PCOS/PCOD often involve using birth control pills to stimulate regular menses, but this treatment does not address the issue at its source. Additionally, many women struggling with PCOS/PCOD are actively trying to get pregnant, so contraceptive medications are not useful in these cases. TCM and acupuncture are able to help resolve many women’s health problems,including PCOS/PCOD and the resulting infertility, restoring normal function to the female reproductive system without the side effects that medications can cause.
What Is PCOS/PCOD?
PCOS/PCOD is a syndrome, which means it is a collection of symptoms that occur together and help to define a disease even though its medical causes are not completely understood yet.
Most women with PCOS/PCOD ovulate infrequently or not at all. Women with PCOS/PCOD also might experience:
- Irregular Periods
- Menstrual cramps, heavy and/or painful periods
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Excess hair on body and face (hirsutism)
- Thinning hair on head
- Acne, oily skin
- Abdominal bloating
TCM Perspective of PCOS/PCOD
Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the concepts of Qi, life force energy that travels through the body along meridians, and the balanced energies of Yin and Yang. There are two major reasons which causes irregular or painful periods
- Liver Qi Stagnation/Qi deficiency: Liver is responsible for momentum, If Qi flows normally and the emotional life is happy. If this function is impaired, the circulation of Qi is obstructed, Qi becomes restrained giving rise to stagnation of blood and fluids hence unable to nourish gynaec organs. Due to this many women experience painful or scanty or irregular periods during menstruation cycle and emotionally they are depressed, sad and lack of interest.
The accompanying diagram illustrates the graphical depiction of the five elements and their corresponding energy levels. Pulse is taken for a patient suffering from PCOS/PCOD. It can be clearly interpreted as Liver yin excess (Qi stagnation) makes fluid stagnation
- Blood deficiency: The Liver stores Blood. Thus Liver-Blood is extremely important for a regular and healthy menstrual function. Deficiency leads to painful or no periods.
Case study:
A 23 year old lady has been frequently fell down unconsciously during her menstruation cycle. She was also complaining about hair fall, headache, angry and painful scanty or no bleeding during periods.
Diagnosis: After checking her pulse using Nadifit, it is identified that Liver Fire/heat rising. Liver stores blood and sufficient menstrual blood is necessary for proper menstruation to happen. When blood deficiency happens heat rises in the liver, since blood is a cooling element. Because of this rise in heat she is suffering from hair fall, headache, angry etc. Blood deficiency also makes lack fluids in the body especially veins which results in low blood pressure, this is the one of the reasons for her to go unconscious.
Solution: According to Nadifit, her Liver Fire/heat rising should be reduced by taking more yin foods. She should take blood nourishing foods and also foods which are in red color. Specific Acupuncture and Acupressure points can also help to overcome her problem.
Conclusion
Women may experience PCOD/PCOS due to various reasons, with Qi stagnation and blood deficiency (nutritional deficiency) being significant contributing factors. In the case of Qi stagnation, individuals require treatment and dietary recommendations to alleviate stagnation, while those with blood deficiency need suggestions to nourish their blood. It is essential for individuals dealing with PCOD/PCOS to comprehend their body constitution before formulating an effective diet plan. Understanding the pulse, deriving insights into the five elements, and assessing yin yang energy levels contribute to a more accurate diagnosis. To uncover the root cause, explore your pulse using Nadifit.
-Written by Division of Research and Development, Neubotz Technologies, for Nadifit.
