Whilst with this syndrome you may expect that to have a diagnosis you would require physical cysts on your ovaries, this is only the case in around half of women with the condition. This makes it very difficult to diagnose in conventional medicine and treatment options often involve length waiting times and some less favourable medications.
Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can have some awful symptoms including; male pattern baldness, facial and excessive body hair growth, irregular periods, painful periods, infertility, acne or oily skin, dandruff, anxiety and/or depression and more. Depending on whether you have the physical cysts will depend on why you are having those symptoms. Those with cysts physically on their ovaries will have trouble producing enough progesterone to trigger ovulation and the natural onset of a period, this affects the natural balance between oestrogen and progesterone and results in some of the symptoms mentioned above. Specialists also believe, those who do not have the physical cysts but do have the symptoms, may have a reduced sensitivity to insulin, this then causes an increase of androgens in the body which inhibits the production of progesterone leading to an excess of oestrogen and reduced ovulation and the symptoms above, this would still be given the same diagnosis of "poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)".
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy can help (if used in combination), with the symptoms and to help re-regulate the hormonal imbalance. This in turn can improve the symptoms of poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Herbs that have considerable evidence to support their use in treatment of poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can be used, whilst acupuncture helps to reduce symptoms relating to painful periods, pre-menstrual tension, hair loss, acne, depression and anxiety. This combined approach a long with integrating treatment options from your GP and specialists can improve your chances of reducing (or curing) poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in the most natural way possible.