PCOS is often accompanied by irregular or even absent ovulation, which can cause problems with conception. Keep reading to find out how Chinese Medicine offers a natural approach of inducing ovulation and addressing anovulation in PCOS to increase the chances of conception.

Can I still get pregnant if I have no Ovulation and PCOS?

While irregular ovulation can make it more challenging to conceive, it doesn’t necessarily mean that pregnancy is impossible. So, yes it is still possible to get pregnant with no ovulation and PCOS. Many women with PCOS have successfully conceived with assistance, lifestyle changes, or fertility treatments tailored to their specific needs, especially holistic Chinese Medicine.

Importance of Ovulation in Fertility

Without ovulation, a healthy pregnancy is not possible. Ovulation plays a crucial role in fertility as it is the process by which a mature egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized by sperm. For women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovulation plays a particularly significant role in fertility, but it can also present unique challenges.

For women experiencing issues of ovulation with polycystic ovaries, there are several factors that may help to explain the underlying issue.

A lack of ovulation may be caused by:

• Hormone imbalances
• Obesity
• PCOS
• Poorly managed stress
• Hormonal birth control
• Poor diet

Identifying the cause of anovulation can help point toward the correct solution and improve the chances of having a healthy pregnancy.

Related: Late Ovulation and Pregnancy – How Chinese Medicine can help

Ovulation with PCOS from a Chinese Medicine Perspective

In Chinese Medicine, each patient will be assessed from an individual standpoint. After looking at all present signs and symptoms, a TCM practitioner will be able to both confirm a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment for the individual.

Below are a few of the most common explanations to PCOS and anovulation in accordance with TCM.

• Kidney Qi Deficiency: The kidneys are the vital organ paramount to reproductive health in Chinese Medicine. Irregular menstruation and ovulatory dysfunction are often attributed to Qi deficiency in the kidney’s key meridians.

Symptoms: Often accompanying kidney Qi deficiency may include lower back pain, knee pain, clear vaginal discharge, discolored tongue, and irregular pulse.

Treatment normally involves tonifying kidney Qi and improving movement of Qi and blood in the reproductive system through methods such as acupuncture.

• Blood Stagnation: While period irregularity can be found in each of TCM’s explanations of PCOS, it is also usually the main identifying factor for blood stagnation. If blood flow is obstructed within the body, key reproductive organs may not be receiving the nutrients they need in order to function properly.

Symptoms: Besides irregular periods, blood stagnation (stasis) may also be accompanied by abdominal cramping, depression, and tightness or aching in the chest.

TCM practitioners will advise a variety of natural and therapeutic treatments that will help regulate blood movement and clear stagnation.

• Phlegm-Damp Accumulation: In TCM, PCOS is often linked to the accumulation of phlegm and dampness in the body. Although each diagnosis is unique, the accumulation is usually a dysfunction of the spleen and stomach.

Symptoms: found in individuals suffering from phlegm or dampness accumulation normally include obesity, heavy limbs, irregular periods, ovarian cysts, loose stools, and fatigue.

TCM treatments aim to alleviate phlegm-damp accumulation and restore balance to the reproductive organs.

• Liver Qi Stagnation: In Chinese Medicine, the liver plays a central role in regulating Qi movement all throughout the body. For this reason, it is also instrumental in maintaining optimal blood circulation in reproductive areas such as the ovaries.

Symptoms: that may accompany liver Qi stagnation include excessive emotional stress, tension, depression, aches, thirst, and constipation. Qi stagnation in the liver is also accompanied by either delayed periods or an absence of periods altogether.

TCM practitioners may advise treatments like acupuncture or herbal remedies to increase the flow of Qi (energy) and blood in the liver, thereby relieving symptoms and improving fertility.

How can you trigger Ovulation with PCOS to increase chances of conceiving?

Depending on each patient’s situation, a doctor or TCM practitioner will recommend a variety of treatments. While the effects of anovulation and PCOS can be difficult to deal with, proper treatment can do wonders to improve chances of conception.

1. Acupuncture

The most common treatment for PCOS involves the precise placement of needles in the body by an acupuncturist. A recent study concluded that acupuncture can promote the recovery of irregular menstrual cycles and improve hormone regulation in patients suffering from PCOS.

More importantly, acupuncture can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments to induce ovulation and improve the chances of pregnancy. Another study concluded that when used alongside moxibustion, acupuncture is especially effective in treating infertility when it relates to PCOS.

By pin-pointing the acupuncture treatment to specific areas of the body, practitioners are able to increase the chances of inducing labor by directly influencing the central nervous system and key muscles in the body. From TCM’s perspective, acupuncture achieves desired results by restoring the flow of Qi and/or bringing balance to Yin/Yang in the body’s reproductive areas.

Acupuncture may be used to trigger ovulation and increase the chances of conceiving in women with PCOS by:

• Regulating Hormonal Balance
• Improving Blood Flow to the Ovaries
• Reducing Stress
• Enhancing Follicular Development
• Supporting Overall Reproductive Health

2. Moxibustion

A treatment often used alongside acupuncture, moxibustion is an external treatment that utilizes the burning of moxa wool. By clearing central meridians and improving the flow of both blood and Qi in the body, moxibustion can be effectively used to treat PCOS and increase fertility.

A recent study analyzed the effectiveness moxibustion had in promoting ovulation and a healthy pregnancy. Results showed that for woman with PCOS and similar conditions, moxibustion can significantly boost pregnancy rates and increase ovulation.

3. Recommended supplements for Ovulation with PCOS

Final Words on Treating Ovulation and PCOS

PCOS is a common condition impacting woman of childbearing age. The symptoms and effects this disease can have may lead to trouble conceiving and even more adverse health conditions.

Although the effects of PCOS are difficult to navigate, with the right treatment plan, it is possible to overcome the illness and achieve a healthy, happy pregnancy.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.