Pulling Down the Moon

The Impact of Acupuncture and Exercise on Those with PCOS: Results from a Randomized Controlled Study

April 10, 2011


Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. It can be characterized by irregular or absent menstrual cycles, acne, facial hair, and obesity. There is no consensus on the most effective long-term treatment of women who have PCOS. Treatment can include birth control pills in women who are not trying to conceive or the medication metformin in women who are trying to get pregnant. However, some women report side effects from these medications and metformin is not associated with an increase in fertility. Many practitioners have focused on lifestyle interventions, specifically diet and exercise, and these are considered to be the optimal choices; research has shown that reproductive function is improved with a diet which is moderate in unrefined carbohydrates, coupled with exercise. This approach in fact is the basis behind The PCOS Diet Plan by Hillary Wright.


Many women who are experiencing infertility are interested in complementary or alternative medicine, specifically acupuncture. Anecdotal reports have suggested that acupuncture is associated with improvements in symptoms of PCOS. A study published out of Sweden is the first randomized controlled study to study and compare the impact of acupuncture and exercise in women with PCOS.


Eighty four women with PCOS were randomized to 16 weeks of low frequency electro-acupuncture, 16 weeks of regular exercise, or a no-intervention group. Participants were assessed at the end of the 16 week intervention period and again 16 weeks later. Both the acupuncture group and the exercise group experienced significantly greater improvements than the no-intervention group but the acupuncture group experienced the greatest improvements in terms of menstrual frequency and improved hyperandrogenism.


This study suggests that women with PCOS might well benefit from acupuncture, specifically electro-acupuncture–both of which are offered at Pulling Down the Moon. Although this study replicated previous research documenting the benefits of physical exercise, the acupuncture patients actually experienced more benefits than the exercise patients. The authors of the study concluded that electro-acupuncture can be used to treat the varied symptoms of PCOS.

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Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
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