Traditional Chinese medicine is one way to help women with menstrual issues.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS ) is a serious condition to have, especially for women looking to have children. But if you are looking for a more traditional approach, or need traditional supplementary treatment, Xi Woman’s Health TCM Center is the place to look for.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels.
Physician and Acupuncturist Jade Lee Yu Jie explains the condition, “In Chinese medicine, we do not have the term PCOS . We identify the same condition as delayed menstruation, amenorrhea, and infertility. We focus on these issues, and treat them through traditional methods.”
Yali Lau, also Physician and Acupuncturist of Xi Women’s Health weighs in, “To us, the condition that grips these women is caused by the imbalance of Yin and Yang.”
“We categorize the treatment of the condition into several causes, mainly deficiencies of the kidneys, spleen, and liver system through traditional Chinese medicine approach. Therefore we have to repair the functions of these systems first; balance out the Yin and Yang, then only we are able to improve menstruation,” Lau adds.
The Traditional Means Of Treatment
The principle of Chinese medicine, according to Jade Lee, is to regulate the Yin and Yang, and the Qi and blood circulation. “We need to first find out what type of imbalance they have, and then we treat accordingly.”
Acupuncture
There is acupuncture, where fine needles are inserted into multiple ‘acupoints’ to help stimulate the functions of any particular system in the body. “It can help stimulate the hormonal secretion, help to regulate hormonal levels, and ultimately improve the menstrual cycle. This will then help with better ovulation,” says Lee.
Moxibustion
On top of acupuncture, patients can also receive additional treatment called moxibustion. Moxibustion is a therapy which consists of burning dried mugwort, a type of herb, on particular points on the body and make use of the heat emanated.
The therapy acts as a supplementary treatment as it can make acupuncture more effective through the warming of the meridians.
Herbal remedies
“Herbal remedies are considered a direct intervention of the treatment,” says Lau. “The herbs are in powdered form, which can be consumed by mixing with warm water or in tablet form. The type of herbs prescribed are based on the type of imbalance the patients are experiencing.”
The improvement
Lee and Lau both vouched for patients who were successful after receiving the treatments. As mentioned, most of the women who has the problem, or only knows about it, are the ones who are looking to have a child.
“We have women coming in who are doing IVF treatment, and would like to supplement their chances through our methods. And there are also who found success just through our treatment alone. It really goes to show the effectiveness one can experience with traditional Chinese medicine,” says Lau.
Lee also advices, “The treatment we offer is an option for women with menstruation issues to receive help without the use of Western medicine, or minimal consumption of it. And we encourage women with irregular menstrual cycle to get help, especially if they are planning to have children.”–
The Health
Jade Lee (left) and Yali Lau are both physicians and acupuncturists specializing in traditional Chinese medicine
Based on the recent Chinese Medicine Research conducted by International Medical University (IMU) on patients between the age of 30-45 with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), had one or more failed IVFs, and subsequently received TCM treatments (herbs and acupunctures) at Xi Fertility and Xi Women, TCM Centre, achieved 76% of pregnancy rates in their next IVF cycle.