Getting Pregnant with PCOS

Getting Pregnant with PCOSPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility in younger women. PCOS affects several areas of the body including the metabolism and digestive system, the ovaries and reproductive system and the liver and detoxification system. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, PCOS affects 1 in 10 women and as many as 5 million women suffer from it in the united states.

Getting pregnant with PCOS requires lifestyle changes and with good reason. There is a strong genetic component with PCOS and holistic practitioners believe during the first four months of pregnancy the mother-to-be’s diet greatly impacts the development of the ovaries in baby girls, which can impact the reproductive health of girls later in life. A healthy diet along with high quality prenatal vitamins, digestive enzymes and probiotics is recommended to encourage healthy weight gain and blood sugar regulation during pregnancy. We believe a healthy pregnancy contributes to a healthy baby.

Getting Pregnant with PCOS and Nutritional Support

Digestive enzymes, high-quality prenatal vitamins with converted folate, fish oil and soil-based probiotics are critical to address the underlying digestive and metabolic disorders associated with PCOS. These supplements provide long-term support needed to offset the genetic weaknesses caused by PCOS. We carefully research and chose the most appropriate supplements for you.

One study published by Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. compared 101 patients: 51 with combined clomiphene and CoQ10 and 50 with clomiphene only and the results were concluded the CoQ10 is an effective a safe option. Ovulation rates were 65.9% in the CoQ10 group compared to 15.5% in the control group and pregnancy rates were 37.3% in the CoQ10 group compared to 6.0% in the control group.[1]

There are two different root causes of PCOS, one is genetic and the second is compromised liver function and carbohydrate metabolism. For both root causes, getting pregnant with PCOS  requires supporting digestive enzymes, high-quality vitamins with methylated folate and probiotics.  The practitioners at Isthmus are educated to help you choose the most appropriate nutritional support.

Getting Pregnant with PCOS and Fertility Massage

Fertility massage based on The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy are highly effective in increasing pregnancy rates for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. With PCOS, fluid filled sacs in the ovaries are caused by testosterone dominance and disrupt the estrogen and progesterone balance. Fertility massage may help reduce these sacs by improving blood circulation and lymph drainage. Healthy cellular communication between the pituitary and the ovaries is also enhanced with fertility massage and benefits hormone balance for women with PCOS.

Getting Pregnant with PCOS and Acupuncture

Acupuncture to support getting pregnant with PCOS is carefully times with your menstrual cycle to optimize your treatments and benefit your cycle the most. PCOS is a testosterone dominant condition which can be caused by the pituitary sending incorrect cellular communication to the ovaries, the liver generating additional testosterone and cysts on the ovaries producing testosterone. The best time to address testosterone dominance is during the first half of the menstrual cycle and acupuncture treatments are most effective during this time of the cycle.

Acupuncture addresses most of the PCOS symptoms that directly impact your fertility and egg quality. Acupuncture reduces your serum luteinizing/follicle stimulating hormone ratio, insulin resistance, excess testosterone, and body mass index. Studies demonstrate acupuncture combined with Chinese herbs provides superior results to western interventions.[2]

A meta-analysis on acupuncture treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome demonstrates acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine has higher efficacy than western interventions 

Getting Pregnant with PCOS and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine to support getting pregnant with PCOS has been used for thousands of years in China and current research supports this use. Acupuncturists determine which herbs are most appropriate using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosing methods.

Study shows Chinese herbal medicine benefits women with PCOS by reducing serum testosterone and insulin levels 

Study shows combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine significantly benefits model rats with PCOS

 

[1] El Refaeey, A., A. Selem, and A. Badawy. “Combined Coenzyme Q10 and Clomiphene Citrate for Ovulation Induction in Clomiphene-citrate-resistant Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd, 29 July 2014. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.

[2] Ren, LN, LH Guo, WA Ma, and R Shang. “A meta-analysis on acupuncture treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. Version 39(3):238-46. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25069203>.

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