Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one the most common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, one report indicates 4-12% of women of reproductive age in US suffer from PCOS. PCOS can lead to other serious disorders such as obesity, infertility, diabetes and excessive hair growth (Hirsutism)

Clinically PCOS has a complex manifestation which include irregular bleeding (oligomenorrhea), cessation of menstruation (amenorrhea), infertility, weight gain, acne and excessive body hair (hirsutism) and hair loss from head. Blood tests often reveal a distorted LH/FSH ratio and elevated male hormone (testosterone) which in turn can cause irregular ovulation and infertility. Some patients with POCS present with elevated anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Patients with PCOS have difficulty conceiving due to anovulation, higher testosterone level, and lowered progesterone levels. In previous blogs, I have explained how Acupuncture and certain supplements can help women with PCOS conceive. In this blog I am posting the latest research on Chinese Herbal formula for these patients. A research team from Women’s hospital in Zhejiang University of Medicine released their latest Study on the effects of Chinese Herbal Formula BSTJF (Bu Shen Tian Jing herbal formula) on the outcome of IVF in patients with PCOS. The study involved 111 patients with PCOS who had gone under IVF, 54 patients received three months of BSTJF prior to their IVF, 57 patients did not use any herbal formula prior to their IVF Stimulation. This herbal formula helped patients with PCOS to get more retrieved oocytes, higher fertilization rate, this patient group also higher clinical cumulative pregnancy and live birth rate compare to patient who did not take this herbal formula. The team concluded that BSTJF could significantly improve IVF outcome for patient with PCOS by decreasing AMH levels in follicular fluid (since elevated AMH levels in follicular fluid can prohibit ovulation). If you suffer from PCOS, consider Acupuncture and herbal medicine for PCOS management and part of your fertility journey.