PCOS & Fertility Acupuncture in Nashville, Franklin & Brentwood
WHAT IS PCOS?
PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome negatively affects fertility because it is an ovulation disorder. It is the most common cause of infertility, affects up to 10% of reproductive age women and affects up to 90% of women with irregular periods! The most common symptoms of PCOS (besides infertility) are irregular or absent periods; other common symptoms are obesity, excess facial or body hair, acne and balding.
HOW DOES PCOS AFFECT FERTILITY?
But what we really need to focus on is the lack of ovulation. In PCOS small cysts, which are actually follicles, develop inside the ovaries. These cysts produce male hormones called androgens, and these androgen hormones will block follicular development and prevent the release the mature eggs.
These androgen, or male hormones, will also enter the bloodstream and disrupt the entire hormonal cycle. When the body senses increased male hormones, it will then increase the production of other female hormones to unhealthy levels. These hormonal fluctuations will prevent ovulation and decrease egg quality. This hormonal fluctuation is what we want to avoid if we are to improve fertility.
NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR PCOS
So what natural treatments for PCOS improve fertility? The first is diet and nutrition. PCOS involves impaired blood sugar regulation and insulin resistance. By eating foods which do not disrupt blood sugar, we can start repairing the hormonal damage done by PCOS. We recommend cutting out all refined sugars and sweeteners and minimizing carbohydrates; high fat foods such as avocado, seafood and meats are beneficial, as well as vegetables.
Acupuncture can help treat PCOS in a number of ways. First by regulating the overall endocrine stress response, this can decrease the hyperactivity of ovarian sympathetic nerve fibers. This reduces the ovarian nerve growth factor concentration and can shrink the polycystic ovaries.
Secondly, acupuncture restores the entire sympathetic and parasympathetic balance. This normalizes the hormones that are related to ovulation and reproduction; without abnormal hormonal fluctuations, the egg and follicles can develop naturally.
PCOS AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
In Chinese Medicine, the most common diagnosis involving PCOS is called damp or phlegm. Damp and phlegm are considered pathogenic byproducts of poor digestion. This poor digestion can be from diet, lack of dietary enzyme secretion or too much stress and inflammation. Symptoms of damp are sluggishness after meals, weight gain, fibrocystic breasts, loose stools, prone to yeast infections or vaginal itching, heavy limbs and craving for sweets or carbohydrates. Symptoms of phlegm are brain fog, vertigo, chronic sinus congestion, recurring ear infections and post nasal drip.
Acupuncture is a wonderful way of improving fertility outcomes. If you would like help, please make an appointment or inquire for more information.
We are located in Franklin, TN and would love to help! For acupuncture appointments, please call (615) 260-6944 or click this link.
Serving Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Nashville and Murfreesboro Tennessee.
WHAT IS PCOS?
PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome negatively affects fertility because it is an ovulation disorder. It is the most common cause of infertility, affects up to 10% of reproductive age women and affects up to 90% of women with irregular periods! The most common symptoms of PCOS (besides infertility) are irregular or absent periods; other common symptoms are obesity, excess facial or body hair, acne and balding.
HOW DOES PCOS AFFECT FERTILITY?
But what we really need to focus on is the lack of ovulation. In PCOS small cysts, which are actually follicles, develop inside the ovaries. These cysts produce male hormones called androgens, and these androgen hormones will block follicular development and prevent the release the mature eggs.
These androgen, or male hormones, will also enter the bloodstream and disrupt the entire hormonal cycle. When the body senses increased male hormones, it will then increase the production of other female hormones to unhealthy levels. These hormonal fluctuations will prevent ovulation and decrease egg quality. This hormonal fluctuation is what we want to avoid if we are to improve fertility.
NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR PCOS
So what natural treatments for PCOS improve fertility? The first is diet and nutrition. PCOS involves impaired blood sugar regulation and insulin resistance. By eating foods which do not disrupt blood sugar, we can start repairing the hormonal damage done by PCOS. We recommend cutting out all refined sugars and sweeteners and minimizing carbohydrates; high fat foods such as avocado, seafood and meats are beneficial, as well as vegetables.
Acupuncture can help treat PCOS in a number of ways. First by regulating the overall endocrine stress response, this can decrease the hyperactivity of ovarian sympathetic nerve fibers. This reduces the ovarian nerve growth factor concentration and can shrink the polycystic ovaries.
Secondly, acupuncture restores the entire sympathetic and parasympathetic balance. This normalizes the hormones that are related to ovulation and reproduction; without abnormal hormonal fluctuations, the egg and follicles can develop naturally.
PCOS AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
In Chinese Medicine, the most common diagnosis involving PCOS is called damp or phlegm. Damp and phlegm are considered pathogenic byproducts of poor digestion. This poor digestion can be from diet, lack of dietary enzyme secretion or too much stress and inflammation. Symptoms of damp are sluggishness after meals, weight gain, fibrocystic breasts, loose stools, prone to yeast infections or vaginal itching, heavy limbs and craving for sweets or carbohydrates. Symptoms of phlegm are brain fog, vertigo, chronic sinus congestion, recurring ear infections and post nasal drip.
Acupuncture is a wonderful way of improving fertility outcomes. If you would like help, please make an appointment or inquire for more information.
We are located in Franklin, TN and would love to help! For acupuncture appointments, please call (615) 260-6944 or click this link.
Serving Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Nashville and Murfreesboro Tennessee.