Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — The Root Cause Behind Irregular Periods, Acne, and Weight Gain
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What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a common endocrine disorder found in 6–12% of women of reproductive age. Ultrasound shows multiple small follicles in the ovaries, and the three hallmark features are irregular menstruation (oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea), hyperandrogenism (acne and hirsutism), and obesity. It is closely linked to insulin resistance, raising long-term risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Phlegm-dampness (痰濕) and kidney deficiency (腎虛) — the Korean medicine pathology of PCOS
In Korean medicine, PCOS is viewed not as a single cause but as a compound pathology. When phlegm-dampness (damseup, 痰濕) stagnates in the body, the qi-and-blood circulation around the ovaries becomes blocked and follicles fail to mature. When kidney deficiency (sinheo, 腎虛) overlaps, the function of cheongye (天癸), which drives ovulation, declines. In obese-type PCOS, phlegm-dampness is the dominant pathology, while in lean-type PCOS, kidney deficiency and blood deficiency dominate.
Modified Changbu-dodam-tang (蒼附導痰湯)
Changbu-dodam-tang is a representative formula for the phlegm-dampness type of PCOS. Atractylodes lancea (chang-chul) and cyperus (hyangbuja) circulate qi and dispel phlegm (痰), while pinellia, citrus peel, poria, and bitter orange (jisil) normalize the spleen-stomach metabolism of fluids and dampness.
- Obese-type PCOS: Add Job's tears (uiin) and hawthorn (sansa) to promote body-fat metabolism
- Severe acne: Add honeysuckle (geumeunhwa) and dandelion (gonggongyeong) to clear heat and detoxify
- Lean type with kidney deficiency: Combine with Jwagwi-eum or Gwisin-hwan to replenish kidney essence
Inducing ovulation and preparing for pregnancy
Infertility in women with PCOS is directly caused by anovulation. By dispelling phlegm-dampness and replenishing kidney qi (sin-gi, 腎氣) with herbal medicine, natural ovulation is often restored. Tracking ovulation with a basal body temperature (BBT) chart and concentrating acupuncture during the ovulatory phase can promote follicular maturation and ovulation. To improve insulin resistance, reduce refined carbohydrates and add 3–4 sessions of moderate aerobic exercise per week.