Admit it, as amazing as the female body is, menstruation doesn’t seem to be a particularly loved part of being a woman. We could go on about how amazing it is to be able to carry a baby, but the truth is, it’s just not always that simple. Sometimes pregnancy evades women and we see our patients grow frustrated, disheartened, and deeply sad.

We thought it was time to talk about some of the issues that women face with menstruation, whether or not they’re trying to conceive. Two of the most common menstrual disorders that acupuncturists treat around the globe include Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (known as PCOS). One of the important things to note as a clinician and patient when it comes to these two conditions is that they are very, very different.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis involves the growth of endometrial tissue on pelvic organs, meaning outside of the uterus. One possible mechanism behind this is retrograde menstruation, which involves the flow of menstrual blood not going downward and exiting through the vagina, but rather flowing upwards and entering the pelvic cavity via the fallopian tubes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjymopQ6ewY

Endometriosis is perhaps one of the most challenging conditions to treat but we have seen that the right care program can be extremely helpful in reducing flow and discomfort and supporting fertility in women hoping to conceive. When we see endo at Balanced Thistle it’s important to approach it from multiple angles. This is not a classic hormonal disruption but rather a disease caused by systemic inflammation. As such, diet and nutrition play a key role in treatment. In particular, since endo is connected to prostaglandins (PG2 most specifically), a thorough clinician will examine fatty acid and antioxidant intake. It’s also never a bad idea to consider subclinical inflammatory diseases including GI conditions such as celiac or IBS or other autoimmune conditions. Finding a proper balance of fatty acid intake (omega’s 3, 6, 9 and arachidonic acids) as well as improving antioxidant activity can be a game-changer for women suffering from endometriosis. Pair it with regular acupuncture, a few additional supplements, and some Chinese Herbal medicine and the improvement can be shocking.

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? (What is PCOS?)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is the leading cause of infertility in women in the U.S. and equally as sad is the fact that unless women are trying to conceive, this condition often goes ignored. Not addressing it can lead to more severe illness in the future including diabetes and heart disease. PCOS is usually diagnosed when a patient presents with at least two of the following three symptoms: polycystic ovaries, missing or irregular cycles, and elevated androgens. Much research into this condition has brought to light the extremely important role of blood sugar regulation in the treatment of PCOS. Dysglycemia contributes to disruption in endocrine feedback loops because the excess insulin signals thecal cells in the ovaries to produce excess androgens, which then inhibits follicle development and prevents ovulation.

The number one most powerful tool a woman can use in the treatment of PCOS is nutrition and lifestyle intervention- we’re talking special dietary changes as well as specific types of exercise. Concentrating on healthy fats and protein and making sure to reduce sugar and poor quality carbohydrate can be very helpful. Making sure to eat regularly and keep exercise calm (i.e. yoga and resistance training) can also be beneficial. Add in some nutraceutical support and acupuncture and PCOS can be managed!

Truth.

It would be a disservice to tell our readers how easy these conditions are to treat. They’re not. PCOS and Endo present solid challenges for both the patient and the clinician, but we have seen improvement again and again. However, it is extremely important to note that the success of the patient depends greatly on their commitment to doing their homework. Sometimes dietary changes can seem impossible, and it can be hard to go out to eat with friends and skip the dessert simply because the sugar or the gluten affect you differently than your girlfriends. That is where we see a lot of women struggle- “why can my friends eat pancakes for breakfast and still get pregnant, but my body can’t do that?” “I don’t feel sick when I eat it, so it doesn’t have an effect on me.” It can be hard to accept and hard to follow through, but these interventions can also be powerful if given the time and energy to work. Healing is hard, and it’s never linear. It’s filled with ups, downs, setbacks, and days that feel so good your motivation soars through the roof. But for ladies suffering from either Endo or PCOS, you should know you have options!

Blog written by Dr. Meghan Gray, DACM, MSHNFM, L.Ac.