Acupuncture for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – PCOS/PCO

Evidence-informed support for polycystic ovary syndrome — cycle regulation, insulin resistance, and fertility — from a clinic with over 25 years and 15,000+ patients of gynaecological experience.

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age, and one of the most misunderstood — even the name causes confusion, since having “polycystic-looking” ovaries on a scan isn’t the same as having the syndrome itself. If you’ve been diagnosed, or suspect you might have it, you’re dealing with a condition that touches far more than fertility: cycles, skin, hair growth, weight, and long-term metabolic health can all be affected.PCOS is one of the conditions we see most often at The London Acupuncture Clinic. Our approach combines acupuncture and, where appropriate, Chinese herbal medicine with an honest account of what current research shows, so you know exactly what to expect.
What is PCOS — and how is it different from “polycystic ovaries”?This distinction trips a lot of people up, including some GPs in passing conversation, so it’s worth clarifying. Polycystic ovaries (PCO) simply describes what an ovary looks like on ultrasound — a higher-than-usual number of small, immature follicles (not true fluid-filled cysts, despite the name). This appearance is common and can be seen in around a fifth to a quarter of women who have no other symptoms at all.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the actual diagnosis, and requires at least two of the following three features (the Rotterdam criteria):

  • Irregular or absent ovulation
  • Clinical or blood-test signs of excess androgens (e.g. hirsutism, acne, or raised testosterone)
  • Polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound

In other words, you can have polycystic-looking ovaries without having PCOS, and diagnosis should always be based on the fuller clinical picture, not a scan finding in isolation.

Common symptoms

  • Irregular, infrequent, or absent periods
  • Difficulty conceiving due to irregular or absent ovulation
  • Excess hair growth (hirsutism), often on the face, chest or back
  • Acne, oily skin, or scalp hair thinning
  • Weight gain, or difficulty losing weight
  • Insulin resistance, which is present in a large majority of women with PCOS regardless of body weight

What the research says about acupuncture and PCOS

PCOS is one of the more extensively researched areas in reproductive acupuncture, with multiple randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses published over the past decade. The evidence spans several different aspects of the condition, so we’ve broken it down rather than making one blanket claim.

Ovulation and hormone regulation

A randomised controlled trial from the Stener-Victorin research group found that repeated acupuncture increased ovulation frequency in women with PCOS more effectively than lifestyle support alone, alongside measurable reductions in circulating androgens. [1] A 2023 meta-analysis found that acupuncture combined with clomiphene produced higher ovulation and pregnancy rates than clomiphene alone. [2]

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance sits at the centre of PCOS for most women, and it’s one of the better-studied areas. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found acupuncture improved insulin resistance markers (HOMA-IR) in women with PCOS, with fewer adverse effects than some pharmacological comparators. [3] A 2025 systematic review and network meta-analysis directly comparing acupuncture with metformin — the standard medical treatment for insulin resistance in PCOS — found both produced measurable improvements in insulin sensitivity markers. [4]

Broader endocrine and metabolic markers

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis looking at acupuncture and its combined therapies for PCOS found improvements across a range of endocrine and metabolic outcomes, not limited to ovulation alone. [5]

Our honest view: PCOS research on acupuncture is genuinely encouraging and covers multiple aspects of the condition — ovulation, androgens, and insulin resistance — which is more breadth than most conditions we treat have behind them. That said, most trials come from China, sample sizes are moderate, and not every study finds acupuncture clearly superior to sham acupuncture on every single measure. We see it as a well-evidenced complementary approach alongside lifestyle changes and, where appropriate, medication — not a replacement for medical management of PCOS.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective

In Chinese medicine, PCOS is often understood as an accumulation of “dampness” — a pattern of unresolved fluid and metabolic stagnation in the body — arising when the Kidney’s yang energy isn’t strong enough to transform and clear it. As dampness builds, it’s thought to further weaken this underlying energy, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Treatment aims to address both the pattern itself and the underlying weakness driving it, often combining acupuncture with herbal medicine. PCOS can be a stubborn, slow-to-shift condition to treat, and it may take several months of consistent treatment before clear progress is seen.

Acupuncture alongside medical PCOS treatment

Many of our patients are also under a GP or endocrinologist for PCOS, using treatments such as metformin for insulin resistance, the combined pill or other hormonal treatment for cycle regulation, or letrozole/clomiphene for ovulation induction if trying to conceive. This isn’t an either/or decision — several of the studies above specifically looked at acupuncture used alongside these treatments. We’ll coordinate around your existing treatment plan and are happy to liaise with your clinician where useful.

Your personalised treatment plan

Every PCOS case looks a little different — some women present mainly with irregular cycles, others with insulin resistance or androgen symptoms, and many with a combination. We build your plan around a full picture: cycle history, relevant bloodwork or scans if available, symptoms, and any current medical treatment. Given how stubborn PCOS can be to shift, treatment is usually a longer-term commitment — often at least three to six months — alongside practical dietary and lifestyle guidance, which plays a genuinely important role in managing the condition.

Case study 1

R, had been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries 3 years previous. Her menstrual cycle had been erratic for 10 years with her sometimes only having a period every 9 months. She had an increase in weight of 3 stone in the previous 2 years and on observation had increased hair growth. R was wishing to improve her cycle to become pregnant. She was currently considering western fertility drugs

She received acupuncture and herbs for 6 months during which time she had three periods, the most frequent she could remember, her weight stopped increasing and she felt better within herself. Over the next 6 months, her cycle became a more regular 40 days. R’s condition continued to improve and then she happily informed me of her pregnancy which was successful.