Results of a research study are going around today, and it appears as though it's got some women with PCOS more than a little bummed out.
Entitled,"True and Sham Acupuncture Produced Similar Frequency of Ovulation and Improved LH to FSH Ratios in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome," it reports the finding that when 84 women with PCOS were divided into two acupuncture treatment groups, one receiving the"official" treatment and one receiving a treatment that looked and felt like acupuncture but really wasn't…both groups showed some improvements in ovulation rate, LH to FSH ratio, and serum LH.
The immediate summary/news byte that's being circulated, is that acupuncture doesn't work for PCOS.
Not so fast, Tweeters!!!
Here are some other things the study reported.
1. Both groups improved. So there was something about going into an acupuncture office that helped. Could it be the fact that acupuncture treatment is more hands on than Western medicine? There are studies documenting the healing power of human touch. Could it be that the subjects themselves were biased already, going into the study, believing they would get better? This study could really be documenting the power of the mind in healing. These women may have reduced their stress, and cortisol levels, simply by believing they were going to heal, rather than being controlled by fear and anxiety that we write about so often on this blog.
2. Secondly, in the acupuncture group, there were better correlations between insulin and ovulation, and testosterone and ovulation than in the other group. In other words, hormones were communicating better and responding to each other better. Meaning that acupuncture may not be the answer on its own, but it may help prep the body to start responding to other things like better diet and yoga.
I personally know, I've referred several clients for acupuncture and they've become pregnant. However, they spent a couple of months improving their diet, exercise, and stress management skills before going for treatment. In other words, they didn't use the option with the mentality that it was going to give them license to eat potato chips, not exercise, sleep two hours a night, and let acupuncture do all the work. It was the jump start that allowed the fruits of their commitment to blossom and ripen.
3. Thirdly, it didn't hurt anyone. So if it's doing no harm, and something about the process is helping, there's no need to completely discount it. It can certainly be a successful adjunct to healthier living.
Bottom line, acupuncture may not be a miraculous stand alone treatment, but there may be something about the nature of the delivery of the treatment that encourages healing and hormone balance.
Lisa M. Pastore, Christopher D. Williams, Jeffrey Janekins and James T. Patrie. True and Sham Acupuncture Produced Similar Frequency of Ovulation and Improved LH to FSH Ratios in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism August 3, 2011 jc.2011-1126