Women with PCOS often have elevated testosterone and difficulty maintaining proper blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance. This can lead to a number of problems, including excess hair growth, acne, weight gain, mood issues, decreased energy, infertility and irregular ovulation.
As far as natural treatments go for PCOS, diet and exercise are the two most crucial pieces to controlling the underlying cause of the syndrome. I’ve had patients who, due to injuries or other circumstances, can’t exercise as much or as effectively as they’d like to and see their PCOS symptoms worsen. While some women can control their PCOS with diet alone, others find that exercise really plays an important role in balancing their insulin levels and therefore keeping their symptoms at bay.
A recent study showed that Acupuncture had similar effects in lowering testosterone and promoting ovulation as exercise did. This is promising for women who have trouble sticking with a regular and effective exercise plan.
While I always encourage some form of regular exercise, diet and acupuncture together could possibly help those who aren’t able to exercise. Keep in mind that exercise is important for cardiovascular health, circulation and mood enhancement as well, among other benefits.
