Irregular Periods? Recovering from PCOS Menstrual Disorder without Hormones

Hello. This is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. # Irregular Periods? Recovering from PCOS Menstrual Disorder without Hormones "My menstrual cycle is too long." "I haven't had a period for months." "My period is always irregular." These are among the most common complaints of young women. Many people ignore it and later visit the hospital worrying about infertility. After being diagnosed with 'Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)', many are advised to take hormone medication, but not a few feel anxious about a temporary prescription that only works at the time. If you are wondering if your body can regain a healthy menstrual cycle on its own, please pay attention to the story of Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. 💡 **[Key Answer]** **3 most common causes of PCOS menstrual disorder:** ① **Hormone Imbalance** (especially excess male hormones and insulin resistance) / ② **Autonomic Nervous System Disturbance** and stress / ③ **Decreased Ovarian Function** and inflammation Dalimchae Clinic helps the ovaries recover their own ovulation function by correcting the imbalanced hormonal environment through a **constitutional improvement** approach. ## 1. What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of irregular periods? **Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)** is a common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, characterized by the presence of multiple immature follicles in the ovaries, preventing normal ovulation. This causes irregular menstrual cycles or amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and is a major cause of infertility. It can also be accompanied by various symptoms such as acne, hirsutism, weight gain, and insulin resistance due to excessive male hormone secretion. It is important to manage it fundamentally because it affects hormonal balance and metabolic function of the entire body beyond just irregular menstruation. ## 2. Can I regain my menstrual cycle without hormones? Many people are prescribed hormones when they visit a hospital for PCOS. However, hormone medication is a way to induce artificial menstrual bleeding while suppressing ovulation. For this reason, the menstrual cycle seems regular while taking the medicine, but it often becomes irregular again once you stop. This is because it is not a fundamental treatment that restores the body's own ovulation function. Some studies show that taking hormones for a long time can weaken the ovaries' self-regulation ability and decrease ovarian reserve. At Dalimchae Clinic, we aim for constitutional improvement treatment that helps our body regain its original menstrual rhythm and ovulation function rather than relying on hormones. ## 3. How does Korean medicine approach PCOS treatment? (Research Data) In Korean medicine, the cause of PCOS is not seen simply as a problem with the ovaries. It is treated by comprehensively considering imbalances within the body caused by stress, poor eating habits, and lack of sleep—such as accumulated waste (damp-phlegm) or decreased hormone secretion function of the ovaries (kidney deficiency). The key is to facilitate the circulation of Qi and blood and regain the balance of the autonomic nervous system to help the ovaries and uterus function optimally. A study published in the *Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism* in 2020 presented the results of a systematic meta-analysis of the effects of acupuncture on 2,315 patients with **Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)**. According to this study, acupuncture showed statistically significant improvement in the **recovery of the menstrual cycle** (SMD, -0.52; p < 0.0007) compared to the control group. In particular, it was found to have a positive effect on the reduction of luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (MD, -0.92; p = .0004) and testosterone levels (SMD, -0.46; p = .0006). This suggests that acupuncture can contribute to regulating hormonal imbalance, a major cause of PCOS. ## 4. What is the principle of Dalimchae's constitutional improvement treatment? PCOS is often caused by a collapse of the entire body's balance, not just a problem with the ovaries. Dalimchae Clinic's **constitutional improvement** treatment focuses on this 'balance'. The goal is not to temporarily turn off symptoms, but to foster the strength for the body to restart and maintain a healthy menstrual cycle on its own. Specifically, it restores decreased function by improving Qi and blood circulation in the ovaries and uterus and resolves metabolic problems such as insulin resistance. In addition, by correcting the balance of the autonomic nervous system that has become unstable due to stress and fatigue, it helps our body's endocrine system operate stably. Through this, the ovaries regain an environment where they can mature healthy eggs and ovulate normally, naturally recovering a regular menstrual cycle. At Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch, we strengthen ovarian function and optimize the hormonal environment by applying complex treatments such as herbal prescriptions, acupuncture, and moxibustion according to individual constitutions and symptoms. ## 5. Could I also have PCOS? Self-Diagnosis Checklist Check if any of the following symptoms apply to you. * The menstrual cycle is longer than 35 days. * The number of periods per year is less than 8. * I have experienced periods stopping for several months or amenorrhea. * There are symptoms of excess male hormones such as increased body hair or severe acne. * There is weight gain for unknown reasons, especially severe abdominal obesity. * I have been diagnosed with infertility or have difficulty conceiving. * I am usually under a lot of stress, easily tired, and cannot sleep well. **[Judgment Criteria]** * **3 or more apply:** Suspected stage of PCOS; we recommend considering complex Korean medicine treatment to improve ovarian function. * **5 or more apply:** Ovarian function may be severely degraded; we recommend immediate professional Korean medicine diagnosis and consultation. **Q. How long should PCOS be treated?** A. The treatment period for PCOS varies depending on the severity of symptoms, duration, constitution, and lifestyle. Generally, 3 to 6 months or more of steady treatment and lifestyle improvement are required, and regular observation is important until ovarian function is completely restored. **Q. Is it possible to manage after treatment with Korean medicine alone without hormones?** A. We aim to 'restore ovulation function and maintain a regular menstrual cycle on one's own' rather than just 'post-treatment management'. Because Dalimchae's Korean medicine treatment helps the body regain hormonal balance and strengthen ovarian function, it supports maintaining healthy menstruation without relying on hormones. **Q. Is PCOS related to infertility?** A. Yes, PCOS is considered one of the most common causes of infertility by inducing chronic anovulation. Korean medicine treatment can help increase pregnancy success rates by restoring ovulation function and improving the uterine environment. Many people looking for an Incheon infertility clinic are diagnosed with PCOS. **Q. My weight gain is severe along with PCOS, can it be treated together?** A. Yes, PCOS is closely related to weight gain due to insulin resistance. Dalimchae's constitutional improvement treatment has a positive effect on weight management by improving metabolic function and regulating the body's inflammatory environment. Custom prescriptions considering the degree of obesity are made at the Songdo PCOS clinic. PCOS is not a problem that can be solved by enduring. You no longer have to ignore the signals your body has been sending for a long time. If you approach in the right direction, the body responds faster than you think and can regain health on its own. Bring your symptoms exactly as they are. We will help you find the cause together and start a healthy change at Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch. Where life blooms. For herbal medicine, it's Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. Check your symptoms similar to mine through the AI consultation on the Dalimchae Clinic website first! This article is health information compiled by Dalimchae medical staff based on questions frequently received in the treatment room. Medical Supervision | Women/Pregnancy Treatment Standards Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch Korean Medicine Doctor Min Jihong (PCOS Column) #PCOS #IrregularPeriod #Amenorrhea #ConstitutionalImprovement #Infertility #IncheonPCOS #IncheonClinic #AutonomicNervousSystem #OvulationDisorder