Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Overview
Polycystic ovary syndrome is marked by infrequent or absent periods, anovulation, hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, hair loss), polycystic ovaries, and metabolic problems (insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia), and is a common cause of infertility. Chinese medicine groups it under delayed menstruation, amenorrhea, infertility, and abdominal masses, with patterns of kidney deficiency, phlegm-damp obstruction, qi stagnation with blood stasis, and damp-heat in the liver channel. Lifestyle is first-line; infertility and metabolic problems need standard medical care.
Pattern differentiation (clinical patterns)
Kidney Deficiency
Late menarche, long cycles or amenorrhea, scant pale menses, weak low back/knees, dizziness, tinnitus, low libido, or prolonged infertility, pale tongue thin coating, deep fine pulse.
Tonify the kidney and regulate menstruation.
Phlegm-Damp Obstruction
Obesity with heavy sluggish body, delayed or absent periods, copious sticky discharge, chest oppression, profuse phlegm, sticky mouth, pale enlarged tongue with white greasy coating, rolling pulse.
Dry dampness and resolve phlegm; strengthen the spleen and regulate menstruation.
Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis
Delayed scant dark clotted painful menses, low mood, chest/rib distension, dark tongue with stasis spots, wiry rough pulse.
Move qi and invigorate blood; dispel stasis and unblock menstruation.
Connections
Daily care & prevention
Lifestyle is first-line: losing 5–10% of body weight often improves ovulation and insulin resistance; exercise regularly, cut refined sugar and sugary drinks, ensure protein and vegetables, and sleep regularly. Track cycles, weight, waist circumference, glucose, and insulin. Massage Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Fenglong (ST40), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Zigong. Those trying to conceive, with long amenorrhea, or marked acne/hirsutism should see gynecology/reproductive endocrinology; do not self-use long-term hormones or ovulation drugs.
When to seek medical care
Amenorrhea with severe abdominal pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, fever, or fainting is an emergency; abnormal intermenstrual or postmenopausal bleeding needs prompt evaluation; obesity with acanthosis nigricans, markedly high glucose, or infertility after a year of trying (six months if age ≥35) warrants care.