Sudden Weight Gain and Absent Periods, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: When to Find the Root Cause

Hello. This is Dalimchae Clinic. # Sudden Weight Gain and Absent Periods, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: When to Find the Root Cause Sudden weight gain accompanied by months of absent periods causes great anxiety for many women. Even after visiting a hospital out of worry that it might be "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?", many people feel frustrated hearing only "It's normal, let's watch and wait" or "Manage it with birth control pills." This is a warning sign from the body caused by hormonal imbalance, and simply suppressing this signal makes a fundamental solution difficult. Our bodies are interconnected, and we must find the deep-rooted cause beyond the visible symptoms to regain a healthy rhythm. 💡 **Key Answer** The 3 most common causes of **Polycystic Ovary Syndrome**: ① **Hormone Imbalance**: Insulin resistance and excess male hormones ② **Ovarian Function Decline**: Immature follicles hinder ovulation ③ **Chronic Inflammation & Stagnation of Qi/Blood**: Deterioration of the ovarian environment Dalimchae Clinic does not suppress symptoms with **constitutional improvement**, but helps the body restore a healthy rhythm on its own. ## Why Do I Suddenly Gain Weight and Miss My Periods? Is It PCOS? Yes, the symptom of "sudden weight gain and absent periods" can be a representative sign of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a common endocrine disorder occurring in about 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, accompanied by various symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, weight gain, hirsutism, and acne. It is characterized by multiple immature follicles in the ovaries preventing proper ovulation, leading to hormonal imbalance. In particular, increased insulin resistance makes it difficult to properly regulate blood sugar, which in turn promotes male hormone secretion and creates a vicious cycle that further degrades ovarian function. ## Can PCOS Be Treated with Korean Medicine to Restore Menstrual Cycles and Increase Pregnancy Chances? While PCOS can manage menstrual cycles through hormone medication, this rarely leads to fundamental recovery of ovarian function. In Korean medicine, PCOS is not viewed merely as an ovarian problem, but is diagnosed comprehensively as whole-body qi and blood circulation, ovarian function decline due to kidney deficiency (腎虛), and weight gain and chronic inflammation due to phlegm-dampness (濕痰) accumulation. From this perspective, Korean medicine treatment focuses on helping the ovaries restore healthy ovulation function on their own by regaining body balance. In fact, there are research results showing that Korean medicine treatment has a positive effect on restoring menstrual cycles in PCOS patients. According to a review study by Yoo-Jin Cho et al. published in the 2021 Journal of Korean Obstetrics & Gynecology, analyzing 10 clinical studies on 73 PCOS patients, 35 out of 41 patients (85.4%) showed a meaningful recovery of menstrual cycles after Korean medicine treatment. In particular, 10 patients across 3 studies showed a decrease in the LH/FSH ratio and LH levels, along with weight loss. This suggests that Korean medicine treatment can also help restore hormonal balance and manage weight. Additionally, a meta-analysis published in *Medicine (Baltimore)* in 2018 by Yoon-Kyung Cho et al., titled "Oriental herbal medicine and moxibustion for polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis," reported that combining herbal medicine and moxibustion significantly increased pregnancy rates in PCOS patients. Compared to the western medication-only group, the combined herbal medicine and moxibustion group showed a 1.95-fold increase in pregnancy rate (Risk Ratio [RR] = 1.95, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.55-2.47), and a 1.66-fold significant increase in the recovery rate of normal basal body temperature (BBT) curves (RR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.34-2.05). The researchers concluded that Korean medicine treatment is beneficial for treating PCOS and can complement and improve the efficacy of conventional Western medical treatments. These studies show that Korean medicine treatment can help improve ovarian function as well as increase pregnancy chances for patients visiting Incheon PCOS clinics. ## Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch PCOS Treatment: Constitutional Improvement is Key At Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch, "constitutional improvement" is considered most important in treating PCOS. Beyond simply inducing menstruation or artificially matching hormone levels, we focus on fundamentally improving the constitution so the body can create a healthy menstrual cycle and restore ovulatory capacity on its own. It is about creating a body where symptoms are not just turned off, but do not turn back on. To this end, customized herbal medicine tailored to individual constitutions and symptoms is prescribed to improve the ovarian environment, promote qi and blood circulation, and help alleviate insulin resistance. Acupuncture treatment is effective in improving blood flow around the ovaries and uterus and balancing the autonomic nervous system involved in hormone regulation. Such integrative treatment restores ovarian function to create a state where healthy follicles can grow and ovulate, ultimately leading to regular menstrual cycle recovery and enhanced pregnancy chances. In particular, for those looking for Incheon infertility clinics, constitutional improvement treatment can be a crucial solution to overcome infertility caused by PCOS. ## PCOS Self-Diagnosis Checklist Which of the following symptoms apply to you? * Periods have stopped for 3 months or more recently, or cycles are irregular at over 40 days. * Sudden weight gain, especially increased lower belly or waist circumference. * Unwanted hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen, etc. (Hirsutism). * Acne that wasn't there before has worsened or skin breakouts are frequent. * Trying to conceive without success (Infertility). * Hair thinning or hair loss has begun. * Skin darkening (acanthosis nigricans) on the back of the neck or armpits. * Experiencing chronic fatigue and lethargy. **Judgment Criteria:** * **3 or more items apply:** PCOS is suspected; constitutional improvement treatment at Dalimchae Clinic should be considered. * **5 or more items apply:** High probability of PCOS; immediate visit is recommended for accurate diagnosis and treatment. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) **Q. How long does herbal medicine treatment for PCOS take?** A. Treatment duration varies depending on the patient's age, symptom severity, degree of hormonal imbalance, and previous birth control pill use. Generally, it takes at least 3 to 6 months or more for ovarian function to recover and menstrual cycles to stabilize. **Q. Can PCOS achieve pregnancy through Korean medicine?** A. Yes, absolutely. For infertility caused by PCOS, Korean medicine treatment helps restore ovulation function and improve the uterine environment to increase natural pregnancy chances. Research results have also confirmed increased pregnancy rates. **Q. Are there foods to avoid with PCOS?** A. Foods that rapidly raise blood sugar, such as sugar, flour, and instant foods, worsen insulin resistance and should be avoided. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise is important. **Q. Can weight gain associated with PCOS be improved with Korean medicine?** A. Yes, Korean medicine treatment helps weight loss through the removal of damp-phlegm and promotion of qi/blood circulation, and can positively affect insulin resistance improvement. Constitutional improvement treatment activates metabolism and enables healthy weight management. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is not a problem that can be resolved by enduring it. You no longer need to ignore the signals your body has been sending for a long time. When approached in the right direction, the body responds faster than you think. Bring the symptoms you are experiencing just as they are. Dalimchae Clinic will find the cause together with you. A place where life blossoms. Herbal medicine is Dalimchae Clinic. Check your similar symptoms first through Dalimchae Clinic's homepage AI consultation! This article is health information compiled together by Dalimchae medical staff based on questions frequently received in the consulting room. Medical Supervision | Women's & Pregnancy Treatment Standards, Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch, Oriental Medical Doctor Min Jihong (PCOS Column)