Polycystic ovary syndrome affects approximately one in ten women in the UK and is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. TCM acupuncture has one of its strongest fertility evidence bases in PCOS treatment.
PCOS is a complex hormonal condition characterised by elevated androgens (male hormones), irregular or absent ovulation and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. It is the most common cause of female infertility related to ovulation, and its effects extend beyond the reproductive system — affecting metabolism, weight, skin, mood and long-term health.
Conventional treatment for PCOS-related infertility typically involves ovulation induction with clomifene or letrozole, or progressing to IVF. While effective for some women, these approaches do not address the underlying hormonal dysregulation and carry a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation. TCM aims to restore normal ovarian function from within — reducing androgen levels, promoting regular ovulation and improving the metabolic environment for conception.
The evidence base for acupuncture in PCOS treatment is substantial. Professor Elisabeth Stener-Victorin at the Karolinska Institute has published extensively on this topic, with studies (2000, 2008, 2010) demonstrating that acupuncture reduces androgen levels, improves menstrual regularity and restores ovulation in women with PCOS. The proposed mechanism involves acupuncture's ability to modulate the sympathetic nervous system — reducing the sympathetic overactivity that drives polycystic ovarian function.
In TCM, PCOS is most commonly understood through the patterns of Kidney Yang deficiency, Phlegm-Damp accumulation and Liver Qi stagnation — patterns that give rise to the sluggish, accumulative nature of polycystic ovaries and the hormonal disruption that underlies them. Treatment combines acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine to:
Women with PCOS are at higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF stimulation. Acupuncture during the stimulation phase can help moderate the ovarian response, reducing OHSS risk while supporting follicular development. See our IVF acupuncture page for the full protocol.
PCOS treatment at Fertility Berkshire begins with a thorough assessment including your full hormonal profile, ultrasound results and menstrual history. Treatment is typically recommended weekly, aligned to your cycle (or the attempt to re-establish one), with reassessment after three months. Most women see meaningful improvements in cycle regularity within this period.