How Does Acupuncture Help PCOS?

September is PCOS Awareness Month!

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a condition due to insulin resistance.  Women with PCOS experience a hormonal imbalance as insulin stimulates secretion of testosterone by the ovaries.   Diet and stress are major risk factors to PCOS.  Diets high in refined carbohydrates (starchy, sugary foods) can lead to insulin resistance.  When we are in a state of chronic stress, we pump out a lot of cortisol regularly.  Cortisol raises our blood sugar and requires out body to produce insulin to manage it. 

Symptoms of PCOS can include weight gain, irregular periods, unwanted facial hair, hair thinning, hair loss, acne, and infertility. 

Metformin is frequently prescribed to patients with PCOS.  Metformin helps get blood sugar under control.  However, there are ways to regulate your blood sugar with diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

How does acupuncture fit in?

Regular acupuncture sessions can reduce testosterone, regulate ovulation (and regulate menstruation), and reduce stress.  Acupuncture is recommended for 3 months prior to TTC to be more effective. 

When I am working with anyone with hormonal imbalance or trying to conceive I will order labs, including hormones on cycle day 3 and cycle day 21.  These labs include full thyroid panel, hormone levels, vitamin D, and maybe a few others depending on your history.  Why CD3 and CD21?  Well, looking at CD3 of your menstrual cycle helps us determine the “baseline” of your hormones.  On CD21 (or 7 days past ovulation), we look at progesterone to see if you have ovulated.  Depending on your labs, an individualized supplementation plan will be recommended.

Reducing environmental hormonal exposure and making changes to your diet have been also shown in research to be very effective in managing PCOS and improving overall health.

Questions?  Email me!

In health,
Dr. Candace

"You Deserve Better than the Standard of Care" - Dr. Candace Gesicki

“You will never get pregnant naturally.”

“You had a baby, you’re going to have low back pain and incontinence when you exercise.  There’s nothing you can really do about it.”

“We can’t do any testing until after you have had your third miscarriage.”

“You are pregnant, you are going to have low back pain and pelvic pain.”

“Your thyroid is normal.  Your symptoms are normal.”

“The pain and numbness around your cesarean scar are normal.”

These are all things patients have shared with me in the last month.  And I wish it was just once, but unfortunately, I am hearing stories like these almost weekly. 

It is not the standard of care to order a full hormone panel, thyroid panel, vitamin D, and more before trying to conceive or after a miscarriage, but far too often do I find patients with a hormone imbalance that can be treated with diet and lifestyle modifications (and occasionally medications).

It is not the standard of care in the United States to refer to a pelvic health therapist after having a baby, yet many women experience incontinence, pain with intercourse, and prolapse.

It is not the standard of care to refer to rehabilitation or soft tissue therapy after a cesarean, yet it is a major abdominal surgery.

It is not the standard of care to order a full thyroid panel initially, but far too often I see patients with a TSH in normal range and (extremely) elevated thyroid antibodies.

Conventional medicine has a time and a place, but it is set up to treat symptoms and diseases with drugs, radiation, or surgery.  Conventional medicine providers use the tools that they have to provide treatment.  Their knowledge in alternative or natural treatments is limited.

How does what we do vary from conventional medicine?

We take a functional approach to your health.  We want you to be an active participant in your healthcare.  This does not mean that we never believe drugs, radiation, or surgery is warranted.  We absolutely refer out to specialists and co-manage when appropriate.   

A functional approach is more complex than “this is low, take this”.  We want to find the root cause of what is going on.  Where is your low back pain stemming from?  Why is your testosterone low?

We don’t have the answers to everything, but I can tell you that if we don’t have an answer, we have no problem telling you this and will help you find a referral to someone that might. 

We are here to listen, to support you, and to provide the best care we can because you deserve better than the standard of care.

Sending love,

Dr. C

Acupuncture for IVF

If you are reading this, I’m sorry.  You were brought here for a reason.  Looking for more answers, looking for hope, maybe looking to “do everything you can do”.  This may be your first round of IVF or this may be your last round.  Every couple or person undergoing IVF does it for a different reason.  You (and your partner) may have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility or an ovarian disorder, you may be working with a sperm or egg donor, you may have a genetic disorder and are planning to test your embryos.  Whatever brought you here, I want to thank you for being here and considering alternative medicine.  This journey is not easy and IVF is not easy.  I want to remember that you are strong.  I hope this blog can provide information on acupuncture and Chinese medicine methodology so that you can have a better understanding on what to expect during acupuncture treatments and can decide if acupuncture is something you would like to incorporate into your treatment plan. 

How can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is beneficial before and after both an egg retrieval and embryo transfer.  It can improve overall fertility, regulate hormones, and normalize the menstrual cycle. 

·      Acupuncture can help improve blood flow to the pelvis and reproductive organs. 

·      Undergoing fertility treatments is stressful: from the appointments, to the medications, to the constant fluctuations of emotions, and the financial burden, acupuncture can help your body respond to stress.  It helps your muscles relax, it slows your breathing, and it calms the mind.  Sometimes during treatments, some people are so relaxed they fall asleep.

·      Acupuncture improves the changes of having a baby:  we are looking at more than just getting you pregnant.  We want you to bring a baby home.  Acupuncture doesn’t stop after the embryo transfer. 

What does an initial acupuncture appointment for preconception look like?

An initial acupuncture appointment for preconception will typically last about 1.5-2 hours.  Your practitioner will want an in depth understanding of your medical history and fertility journey.  Your provider will use visual inspection, feel your pulse, and look at your tongue in their assessment.  A Chinese medicine diagnosis will be given based on your history and examination. The acupuncture needles may be placed in your arms, legs, head and face, abdomen, back, and even your ears depending on your Chinese medicine diagnosis.

What do follow up treatments look like?

Expect your entire appointment to last about 1 hour.  Your acupuncturist will likely ask about any symptoms you are experiencing, check your pulse and tongue while they perform a visual assessment, and then he or she will insert the needles!  The needles are retained about 30 minutes and then your practitioner will remove them and discuss any of your concerns.  No two women are the same.  Even when working with two women, both diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve from a Western Medicine doctor, their acupuncture treatments may look very different.  When supporting women using the Chinese medicine methodology, many providers will give women dietary recommendations, lifestyle recommendations, and supplementation as this takes a whole systems approach.  

What will my fertility doctor (or reproductive endocrinologist) say about this?

Honestly, it depends on the provider.  I have had some patients have their RE say they are “wasting their money”, but can “do what they want” and I have seen other RE’s strongly encourage their patients to do acupuncture.  Some fertility clinics have an acupuncturist on site that patients work directly with.  Over the last few years, however, I have been noticing more and more RE’s suggest acupuncture and other types of alternative medicine for their patients.

Quick Details:

·      Dr. Candace prefers acupuncture weekly leading up to IUI or IVF.

·      She recommends acupuncture before and after IUI or IVF.  

·      Dr. Candace recommends continuing acupuncture throughout the first trimester.

Stay turned for Part 2: Acupuncture to support early pregnancy.

Candace Gesicki is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture.  She has been supporting women .  She is offering free 15 minute phone consultations for those wondering how acupuncture can support them on their fertility journey.  Email Dr. Candace directly to schedule a phone consult or schedule your initial appointment online.