Monday, January 26, 2015

TCM Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS )




Western View



TCM Pathology



Figure Differentiations



Research



References



Western View



Polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) is a luteal function defect typified by anovulation, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and obesity. It affects 5 - 10 % of women.



PCOS is oftentimes special as several small cysts located within the ovaries and chronic fault to ovulate. PCOS recurrently occurs with one or more of the following factors:



• Desperate estrogen misbalancing the hypothalamus - pituitary - ovarian ( HPO ) pivot.



• Imbalances in sugar metabolism and insulin levels.



• A inclination for diabetes.



• Obesity.



• Increased lipid levels.



• Higher prolactin levels.



PCOS involves a deficiency of communication between the gonadotropin releasing hormones and hormones of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. A dysfunction of the endocrine and metabolic systems generally results in a poor response to hormone stimulating fertility drugs. Many PCOS patients resist ovulation stimulating drugs, which hyperstimulate the ovaries and create a multitude of side effects.



Typically, the ovaries are much larger than average, with multiple rows of cysts, cloaked with a thick, slimy, waxy or hard out coating. These cysts produce male hormones that block follicles, causing them to degenerate. An overproduction of estrogen or an increase in insulin levels can cause androgen factors, like high testosterone, which in turn causes haphazard body or facial hair or a thinning hairline.



The HPO fulcrum affected with too much estrogen and not enough progesterone raises the luteinizing hormone ( LH ) and testosterone. Western diagnoses evaluate via ultrasound and blood tests for LH, follicle stimulating hormones ( FSH ) and testosterone. It is possible to have either long cycles with heavy mournful or no ovulation or light cycles with little dismal.



PCOS can combine menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, stupid uterine sorrowful, infertility, hirsutism, and obesity. The uterine lining fails to shed each month, thereby increasing the possibility of endometrial cancer. Western treatment includes such medications as:



• Clomid to promote ovulation.



• Gonal - F or Pergonal ( gonadotropins ).



• Human chorionic Gonadotropin ( hCG ).



• Gluchophage, Metformin or Actos to domination insulin resistance.



• Steroids to balance the androgen hormonal effects, which, over the long term, can cause liver damage and a reduction of bone density.



TCM Pathology



PCOS is a Yang disorder with imbalances elegant the second half of the menstrual cycle. Involved organ systems teem with the Spleen, Lungs, Liver and the Kidneys. Regularly, PCOS derives from a deficiency of Kidney Yang, in its inability to transform, transport and evaporate fluids in the lower body. The accumulation of water in the pelvic cavity enlarges the ovaries, leading to Phlegm / Dampness or Blood stagnation.



Device Differentiations



Phlegm / Dampness:



• Amenorrhea, light periods or infertility.



• A need to frequently “ clear your throat, ” which is caused by stress or emotions.



• Abdominal fullness or distention.



• Joint inflammation or aching.



• Heaviness in the chest, belly area or body in general.



• Perception sleepy or unready after a meal.



• Obesity.



• Hirsutism.



• Sinus congestion, lipomas, yeast infections or excessive vaginal discharge.



• Diarrhea or foul smelling stools ( indicates heat ).



• Mucus - like menstrual blood or stools.



• Sallow, swollen tongue body.



• White and sticky or greasy tongue coating.



• Weak or slippery pulse.



Blood stagnation:



• Amenorrhea, light periods, infertility.



• Heaviness, discomfort or pain in the chest or belly.



• Excessive vaginal discharge.



• Hirsutism.



• Pasty - provoking or bluish - bedroom, swollen tongue body.











• Sticky, white tongue coating.



Research



Stenor - Victorin ( 2000 ) regulated ovulation in rats with electro - acupuncture ( EA ). This study proved that EA inhibits the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Chen ( 1997 ) showed that acupuncture normalized dysfunction of the hypothalamus - pituitary - ovarian ( HPO ) fulcrum, and that EA may promote the bustle of the body and mind sensitive mechanisms normalizing GnRH, LH, and estrogen.



The beneficial nervous system ( SNS ) is one of three parts of the autonomic nervous system. It mobilizes the body’ s coin under stress and is constantly active at a basal level to maintain homeostasis. It is obliged for the up and down regulating of many of the homeostatic mechanisms. Fibers from the SNS predispose halfway every organ system from L - 2 lad - 2. It provides very assorted regulatory functions affecting the ovaries, adrenals, pancreas, liver, and the endocrine system. The longitudinal organizations of the meridians equaling to L - 2 to T2 help you catch on why acupuncture is so effective in inhibiting this major nerve system. There is a correspondence between the SNS, segmental neural structures, the consonant vessels, and nodal pathways. The Kidney, Liver, Heart, and Brain ( HPO ) systems instantly affect the SNS. This may partially set right why EA is so effective in treating PCOS. The ability to rural the SNS, and ajar up the flow of Qi and Blood through these acupuncture meridians, resolves pathology that Western medicine can’ t fundamentally comprehend.



Yoshimoto ( 1989 ) used the Chinese herbal formula, “ Wen Jing Tang” in a combined gonadotropin therapy resulting in ovulation in 43. 8 % of cases without ovarian weird - stimulation. Wen Jing Tang is a formula used in cases of Deficiency and Cold in the Conception and Penetrating vessels; with stasis, and slight yin deficiency. It countered the effects of the Western medications resulting in ovulation.



Useful Acupuncture Points



Lu 7 ( R ) and K6 ( L ) regulate the Ren, HPO axle, strengthen the Uterus and dissolve riffraff. SP 6 connects the three Yin channels ( Liver, Kidney, Spleen ). Du 4 is the “ life gate” equated with the womb and useful in treating leucorrhea. Sp 9 is the water point on the Spleen channel. These points treat Kidney Yang deficiency leading to phlegm dampness.



Lu 7 and Ki 6 are also used for Blood stasis, in that they unlocked the Ren and regulation water balance. St 29, Sp10, and UB 17 are useful for all Blood issues. Lv 14 treats inert Qi.



References



Cai, Salutation. ( 1997 ). Substitution of acupuncture for HCG in ovulation induction. Notebook of Median Chinese Medicine, 17 ( 2 ), 119 - 121.



Chen, B. Y. ( 1997 ). Acupuncture normalizes dysfunction of hypothalamic - pituitary - ovarian pivot. Acupuncture & Electro - therapeutics Resources. International Diary, 22 ( 2 ), 97 - 108.



Stener - Victorin, E., Lundeberg, T., Waldenstrom, U., Manni, L., Aloe, L., Gunnarsson, S., et al. ( 2000 ). Effects of electro - acupuncture on nerve growth factor and ovarian morphology in rats with experimentally induced polycystic ovaries. Biology of Reproduction, 63, 1497 - 1503.



Stener - Victorin, E., Waldenstrom, U., Anderson, S., & Wikland, M. ( 1996 ). Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro - acupuncture. Human Reproduction, 11, 1314 - 1317.



Yoshimoto, Y., Miyake, A., Tasaka, K., Aono, T., & Tanizawa, O. ( 1989 ). Ovulation following combined therapy with wen - jing - tang and clomiphene citrate therapy in anovulatory women. American Logbook of Chinese Medicine, 17, 243 - 244.

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