Polycystic ovaries are not a life sentence — they are the body expressing an imbalance that has a name, a pattern, and a path forward.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, estimated to affect between 8–13% of Australian women. Its hallmarks — irregular or absent menstruation, elevated androgens (testosterone), polycystic ovarian appearance on ultrasound, and often insulin resistance — create a cascade of symptoms that can include acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth), weight gain, fatigue, mood disturbance, and significantly reduced fertility.
Conventional medicine manages PCOS primarily through hormonal contraception to regulate the cycle, metformin to address insulin resistance, and clomiphene or gonadotrophins to induce ovulation for women seeking pregnancy. These approaches can be effective but do not address the underlying metabolic and endocrine disharmony — and for women who prefer not to use hormonal contraception, or who are trying to conceive, the options become more limited.
Chinese medicine offers a genuinely different angle: rather than overriding the cycle with exogenous hormones, TCM seeks to identify and address the underlying pattern of disharmony, supporting the body's own regulatory mechanisms to restore normal function over time. This is a slower, more gradual process — but one that addresses causes rather than symptoms, and supports the long-term hormonal health that PCOS management requires.
In Chinese medicine, PCOS is not a single condition but a cluster of presentations that may reflect several patterns of disharmony, often co-existing. Dr Christine Shen's diagnostic assessment will identify which patterns predominate in your individual case, and tailor treatment accordingly.
The Kidneys govern reproduction in Chinese medicine — they store Jing (essence), regulate the Tian Gui (reproductive essence), and anchor the menstrual cycle's hormonal rhythms. Kidney Yang deficiency produces cold, fatigue, poor ovulation, and scanty cycles; Kidney Yin deficiency produces heat signs, dry symptoms, and elevated androgens.
The cysts themselves are interpreted as Phlegm-Damp — a pathological accumulation in the reproductive organs resulting from Spleen deficiency and metabolic dysfunction. This pattern is associated with weight gain, heavy sensation, cystic ovaries on scan, and insulin resistance. It reflects the TCM equivalent of metabolic syndrome.
Stress, emotional suppression, and irregular lifestyle disturb the Liver's free flow of Qi. In PCOS, this manifests as PMS, breast tenderness, emotional volatility, and the cycle irregularity that results when Liver Qi fails to support the timely arrival of the period. Elevated androgens are often associated with this pattern.
Prolonged Qi stagnation leads to Blood stagnation — fixed pain, dark clotted menstrual blood (when cycles do occur), and the physical obstruction of ovarian cysts. Resolving Blood stagnation is often an important component of PCOS treatment, particularly for women with a longer history of the condition.
The acupuncture-PCOS relationship has been studied more thoroughly than many areas of Chinese medicine research. A series of studies by Professor Elisabet Stener-Victorin and colleagues, published in leading reproductive endocrinology journals, found that both electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture at specific points (notably ST-29, SP-6, CV-3, CV-6) could significantly reduce LH/FSH ratios, reduce circulating testosterone, improve insulin sensitivity, and — crucially — restore menstrual regularity in women with PCOS. The proposed mechanisms involve the modulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the beta-endorphin pathway, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
This research does not claim that acupuncture cures PCOS — no single therapy does. But it provides a credible scientific framework for why many women with PCOS experience improved cycle regularity, reduced androgen symptoms, and improved fertility outcomes when they incorporate acupuncture into a comprehensive management plan.
For women with PCOS working toward cycle regulation, Dr Christine Shen adapts treatment strategy to the phase of the cycle (or the expected phase for women with absent periods):
Herbal medicine is a central pillar of PCOS management in Chinese medicine. Unlike the single-compound approach of pharmaceutical medicine, Chinese herbal formulas are complex multi-herb prescriptions, individually tailored to the patient's specific pattern. Common formulas and their TCM applications in PCOS include:
One of the most commonly prescribed formulas for PCOS with Blood stagnation. Resolves Blood stasis, reduces ovarian cysts, and improves pelvic circulation. Clinical studies have explored its potential to reduce testosterone and improve metabolic markers in PCOS.
Warming the Channels decoction — for PCOS with cold pattern, Yang deficiency, and irregular sparse cycles. Warms the uterus, nourishes Blood, and resolves mild Blood stagnation. Appropriate for the Kidney Yang deficiency subtype.
Specifically targets Phlegm-Damp accumulation — the pattern most closely associated with the polycystic appearance, weight gain, and insulin resistance. Transforms Phlegm, moves Qi, and supports the Spleen's metabolic function.
For the Liver Qi stagnation pattern with Heat — irregular cycles, PMS, irritability, acne. Spreads Liver Qi, clears Heat, nourishes Blood and Yin. Often used for PCOS with a strong emotional and stress component.
All herbal prescriptions at Rainbow Medicine are individually composed or modified by Dr Christine Shen based on your specific diagnosis. Granulated herbal concentrates are used for convenience and quality assurance. Dr Christine Shen will check all herbs for interactions with any medications you are taking.
Insulin resistance is present in approximately 70% of women with PCOS, even those who are not overweight. Dietary strategies that stabilise blood sugar — reduced refined carbohydrates and sugars, regular protein with meals, anti-inflammatory foods, adequate fibre — support both metabolic and hormonal health. In TCM terms, this is understood as tonifying the Spleen, reducing Phlegm-Damp accumulation, and supporting the Stomach's transforming function. Dr Christine Shen provides dietary guidance as an integral part of PCOS management.
Regular physical activity — particularly resistance training and aerobic exercise — improves insulin sensitivity, reduces circulating androgens, and supports weight management. In TCM, movement supports the free flow of Liver Qi, reducing stagnation that contributes to cycle irregularity. The type, intensity, and timing of exercise can be tailored to your cycle phase and current constitution.
Basal Body Temperature charting — recording your temperature each morning before rising — provides a daily record of your hormonal and ovulatory status. For women with PCOS, BBT charts help Dr Christine Shen track whether ovulation is occurring, assess the length and quality of the luteal phase, and monitor the response to treatment over time. You will be guided in how to chart, read, and share your BBT data as part of your care plan.
See also: Fertility & IVF | Women's Health
PCOS is complex, individual, and responsive to the right approach. Dr Christine Shen brings deep expertise in women's health and reproductive medicine to every consultation. Lane Cove and Freshwater, Sydney.
Book a ConsultationInitial $150 / 90 min | Follow-up $110 / 60 min | 0410 699 065
