Ask The Doctor | Donate

back to conditions index

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

GENERAL

Clinical Manifestations	Menstrual abnormalities: Irregular menstruation Early menstruation Late menstruation Scanty menstruation Metrorrhagia Amenorrhea Development of male sex characteristics: Elevated levels of male hormones Androgens may result in physical signs, such as Decreased breast size Deepening of the voice Enlargement of the clitoris Hirsutism (excess facial and body hair) Adult acne or Severe adolescent acne Obesity:About 50% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes: Many women with PCOS have high blood glucose level and type 2 diabetes due to significantly high insulin resistant. Acanthosis nigricans: This is the medical term for dark or thick skin markings and creases around the armpits, groin, neck, and breasts due to insulin sensitivity.
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas	PCOS #6 With anovulation: Chai Ling Tang With galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome: Ding Gan Bu Shen Tang
Points	DU-20, ST-25, ST-29, REN-3, Moxa REN-4, REN-6, REN-8, Electro-acupuncture UB-23, UB-32. UB-52 For strengthening Spleen Qi: ST-36, SP-10, ST-40, SP-9, SP-6, UB-20 For warming Kidney Yang: UB-23, UB-25, DU-4, DU-3, KI-7, KI-6 For nourishing Kidney Yin: UB-23, KI-3, SP-6, PC-6 For soothing Liver Qi and resolving Blood Stasis: UB-17, UB-18, SJ-5, LI-4, SP-6, LIV-3, GB-41

SPLEEN QI AND KIDNEY YANG DEFICIENCY WITH PHLEGM-DAMP ACCUMULATION

Clinical Manifestations	Very irregular menstrual cycle with no pattern at all Scanty bleeding with clots or Amenorrhea, although may flood sometimes Infertility Distension of chest and breasts Bloated stomach Cramping in the lower abdomen Severe acne Thick body and facial hair Thirst Constipation Overweight T:Dark red or Purple red with black spots around the edge C: White or Yellow greasy P: Wiry, slippery and rapid pulses
Treatment Principle	Clear Heat Remove Phlegm Invigorate the blood Resolve Blood Stasis.
Herb Formulas	PCOS #5 Chinese Patent Medicines: Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan + Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan + Qi Qi Hua Tan Wan Fu Ke Tiao Jing Wan + Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang Fu Ke Tiao Jing Wan + Qi Qi Hua Tan Wan
Points	DU-20, ST-25, ST-29, REN-3, Moxa REN-4, REN-6, REN-8, Electro-acupuncture UB-23, UB-32. UB-52 For strengthening Spleen Qi: ST-36, SP-10, ST-40, SP-9, SP-6, UB-20 For warming Kidney Yang: UB-23, UB-25, DU-4, DU-3, KI-7, KI-6 For nourishing Kidney Yin: UB-23, KI-3, SP-6, PC-6 For soothing Liver Qi and resolving Blood Stasis: UB-17, UB-18, SJ-5, LI-4, SP-6, LIV-3, GB-41

LIVER QI STAGNATION TRANSFORMS INTO FIRE

Clinical Manifestations	Amenorrhea Scanty periods Irregular menstruation Infertility Thick hair Acne Distending pain in the chest, hypochondria or breasts Dry mouth with preference for drinking water Constipation T: Normal or Red edges C: Yellowish and thin P: Rapid and wiry
Treatment Principle	Sooth the Liver Relieve Stagnation Reduce Fire
Herb Formulas	Jia Wei Xiao Yao San modified Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Points	DU-20, ST-25, ST-29, REN-3, Moxa REN-4, REN-6, REN-8, Electro-acupuncture UB-23, UB-32. UB-52 For strengthening Spleen Qi: ST-36, SP-10, ST-40, SP-9, SP-6, UB-20 For warming Kidney Yang: UB-23, UB-25, DU-4, DU-3, KI-7, KI-6 For nourishing Kidney Yin: UB-23, KI-3, SP-6, PC-6 For soothing Liver Qi and resolving Blood Stasis: UB-17, UB-18, SJ-5, LI-4, SP-6, LIV-3, GB-41

KIDNEY YIN DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Dry mouth and tongue Lower back and knee pain Urinary difficulty Weakness of the lower back, knees and extremities Steaming bones Light-headedness Vertigo Tinnitus Diminished hearing Five sole heat Chronic dry, sore throat Toothache Wasting and thirsting disorder (Xiao Ke) Dizziness Muscular weakness Irritability Hot flashes Night sweats Thirst	Insomnia Dry skin Deafness Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Tidal fevers Loose teeth Dripping urine Swollen gums, painful and light red in color Numbness and weakness at the waist and knees Heel pain Urinary incontinence Pain at midline and in lower back Sore throat T: Red C: Little or None P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle	Nourish Kidney Yin Clear Deficiency Heat
Herb Formulas	Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan PCOS #2 For Phase 1: PCOS #8 For Phase 2: PCOS #9 For Phase 3: PCOS #11 For Phase 4: PCOS #12
Points	To nourish Kidney Yin: REN-4, SP-6 To regulate and open Chong channel: SP-4, PC-6 To regulate conception and dissipate masses: LU-7, KI-6 To Tonify the Kidneys: KI-13, KI-3, UB-23 To clear Deficiency Heat: KI-2 To stimulate ovulation: Zigong To resolve Dampness and Phlegm: SP-9, ST-40 To tonify the Spleen and resolve Dampness and Phlegm: ST-36, UB-20 To move Blood Stagnation: UB-17, SP-10, ST-29

KIDNEY YIN AND BLOOD DEFICIENCY WITH LIVER QI STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations	Irregular menstrual periods with light bleeding or Amenorrhea Severe Pre-menstrual syndrome Depression Restlessness Headache or Dizziness Dream disturbed sleep Night sweats Acne Infertility T: Red C: Thin P: Thready and wiry
Treatment Principle	Nourish Kidney Yin Nourish the Blood Soothe Liver Qi Unblock the Chong and Ren channels
Herb Formulas	PCOS #4
Points	DU-20, ST-25, ST-29, REN-3, Moxa REN-4, REN-6, REN-8, Electro-acupuncture UB-23, UB-32. UB-52 For strengthening Spleen Qi: ST-36, SP-10, ST-40, SP-9, SP-6, UB-20 For warming Kidney Yang: UB-23, UB-25, DU-4, DU-3, KI-7, KI-6 For nourishing Kidney Yin: UB-23, KI-3, SP-6, PC-6 For soothing Liver Qi and resolving Blood Stasis: UB-17, UB-18, SJ-5, LI-4, SP-6, LIV-3, GB-41

KIDNEY YANG DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Delayed menstruation Scanty and light-colored menses Gradual amenorrhea Occasional irregular menstruation Infertility Dizziness Tinnitus Aching and weak sensation in the loins and knees A Cold sensation in the body Cold limbs Clear and profuse urine Loose stools Sexual frigidity Obesity T: Pale C: Thin and white P: Deep and thin
Treatment Principle	Nourish the Kidneys Replenish Jing Regulate and nourish the Ren and Chong channels Scatter nodulation
Herb Formulas	You Gui Wan Wen Jing Tang PCOS #6 PCOS #7 PCOS #13 For Phase 1: Cu Luan Bao Tang modified For Phase 2: Cu Pai Luan Tang For Phase 3: PCOS #10 For Phase 4: Huo Xue Tiao Jing Tang For Kidney Yang Deficiency with Phlegm: Yu Shi Wen Bu Fang For Kidney Qi and Yang Deficiency with Phlegm, Damp, Qi and Blood Stagnation: PCOS #1
Points	To regulate conception vessels and dissipate masses: LU-7, KI-6 To transform Damp from genital system: REN-3, ST-28, UB-32 To resolve Dampness and Phlegm: SP-9, ST-40 To tonify kidney Yang: moxa KI-3, REN-4, KI-7, UB-23 To tonify the Spleen and resolve Dampness and Phlegm: UB-20, ST-36 To invigorate the Blood: UB-17, SP-10, ST-29 To tonify Spleen and Kidney: SP-6 To stimulate ovulation: Zigong

QI AND BLOOD STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations	Delayed menstruation Scanty periods with clots Abdominal pain during menstruation Amenorrhea Infertility Mental depression Distending fullness in the chest and hypochondria Dizziness Heart vexation Easily angered Breast distention and pain Hiccups Twitching and spasm of the sinew vessels A sore feeling in the extremities and body The facial complexion is dusky and stagnant Bitter taste in the mouth Dry throat Constipation Reddish urine T: Red edge and tip or Purplish and may have maculae or spots of static blood on its border C: Normal or Slightly yellowish P: Deep and wiry or Small and wiry or Wiry and forceful or Thready and choppy or Deep and choppy
Treatment Principle	Activate Qi Invigorate the Blood Break up Stasis
Herb Formulas	Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang Wu Yao San Si Ni San modified + Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan modified
Points	DU-20, ST-25, ST-29, REN-3, Moxa REN-4, REN-6, REN-8, Electro-acupuncture UB-23, UB-32. UB-52 For strengthening Spleen Qi: ST-36, SP-10, ST-40, SP-9, SP-6, UB-20 For warming Kidney Yang: UB-23, UB-25, DU-4, DU-3, KI-7, KI-6 For nourishing Kidney Yin: UB-23, KI-3, SP-6, PC-6 For soothing Liver Qi and resolving Blood Stasis: UB-17, UB-18, SJ-5, LI-4, SP-6, LIV-3, GB-41

BLOOD STASIS AND PHLEGM-HEAT BLOCKING THE CHONG AND REN CHANNELS

Clinical Manifestations	Very irregular menstrual cycle with no pattern at all Scanty bleeding with clots or Amenorrhea, although may flood sometimes Infertility Distension of chest and breasts Bloated stomach Cramping in the lower abdomen Severe acne Thick body and facial hair Thirst Constipation Overweight T:Dark red or Purple red with black spots around the edge C: White or Yellow greasy P: Wiry, slippery and rapid pulses
Treatment Principle	Clear Heat Remove Phlegm Invigorate the blood Resolve Blood Stasis.
Herb Formulas	PCOS #5 Chinese Patent Medicines: Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan + Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan + Qi Qi Hua Tan Wan Fu Ke Tiao Jing Wan + Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang Fu Ke Tiao Jing Wan + Qi Qi Hua Tan Wan
Points	DU-20, ST-25, ST-29, REN-3, Moxa REN-4, REN-6, REN-8, Electro-acupuncture UB-23, UB-32. UB-52 For strengthening Spleen Qi: ST-36, SP-10, ST-40, SP-9, SP-6, UB-20 For warming Kidney Yang: UB-23, UB-25, DU-4, DU-3, KI-7, KI-6 For nourishing Kidney Yin: UB-23, KI-3, SP-6, PC-6 For soothing Liver Qi and resolving Blood Stasis: UB-17, UB-18, SJ-5, LI-4, SP-6, LIV-3, GB-41

PHLEGM-DAMPNESS

Clinical Manifestations	Scanty periods Infrequent menstruation or Delayed menstruation or Amenorrhea Infertility Leukorrhea Dizziness A heavy sensation in the head Chest oppression Nausea Lassitude of limbs Profuse sputum in the throat Loose stools Obesity Pilosity (hairiness) T: Normal or Pale and enlarged C: Whitish and greasy P: Moderate or Slippery
Treatment Principle	Resolve Phlegm Eliminate Dampness Regulate Qi Regulate menstruation
Herb Formulas	Cang Fu Dao Tan Tang
Points	DU-20, ST-25, ST-29, REN-3, Moxa REN-4, REN-6, REN-8, Electro-acupuncture UB-23, UB-32. UB-52 For strengthening Spleen Qi: ST-36, SP-10, ST-40, SP-9, SP-6, UB-20 For warming Kidney Yang: UB-23, UB-25, DU-4, DU-3, KI-7, KI-6 For nourishing Kidney Yin: UB-23, KI-3, SP-6, PC-6 For soothing Liver Qi and resolving Blood Stasis: UB-17, UB-18, SJ-5, LI-4, SP-6, LIV-3, GB-41