37 - PCOS & Acne, Pregnant Naturally

Overview:
37 year old woman with PCOS was referred to me because of the widespread acne she was experiencing on her back, chest and face. Her menstrual cycle was irregular, ranging from 24 to 32 days, and her flow was inconsistent, sometimes only spotting for 5 days. All of which
indicated that she was probably not ovulating regularly. Her blood tests reveled elevated androgen levels (male hormones). She also only had one functioning fallopian tube. She was fatigued and depressed and her GP was trying to convince her to try an antidepressant medication.
She exercised regularly and had a healthy body weight. She was wanting to have a child, but held little hope of it happening as she had been trying to conceive with her husband for over a year and a half.
Treatment:
This woman had already done a cleanse in the past and seemed to eat fairly well and so I encouraged her to keep going, putting emphasis on no refined sugar and alcohol intake, which she was able to do. I recommended that she try to hold off on taking an antidepressant and
see how she feels through the acupuncture and herbal treatments. She had a habit of sleeping in till 10 or 11 am, getting way too much sleep, and so I encouraged her to wake up at least by 8am and see if that improves her mental and physical energy. She had widespread acne covering most of her chest, upper back, and face. Many open and closed commedones, with secondary inflammatory
lesions, including papules and pustules. Her skin was very oily. She had been using tetracycine antibiotics for over 5years for the acne. Externally she used protopic. Her thirst was strong. Her bowel movements seemed regular. Her menstrual flow was clotted and with some cramping. She became irritable pre-menstrually. Her body weight was normal. Her temperature fluctuated between hot and cold. Her energy was lower than she licked. Her spirits were good and she came across as a very friendly and open person. The end result was that by Nov 21/ 08, her back and chest were clear of any acne lesions. Her face was mostly clear. Her last two menstrual cycles had been regular at 28 days. The next cycle did not come due to pregnancy! Her case is a good example of how using the skin, in combination with other S/S like menstrual cycle, became a powerful
diagnostic tool to provide an effective treatment. Her goal of having better skin did manifest, but also her main dream of becoming a mother was met. When writing this case history she was around 15 weeks pregnant with everything looking very stable.
Outcome:
After two months of weekly acupuncture treatments and daily herbal intake, her menstrual cycles were becoming regular at 28 days apart, her acne had improved by about 50%, and her energy and mood had lifted. She was becoming happy and confident in the direction her life was taking. By the end of the fourth month her acne was about 95% better, with complete clearing on her chest and back, and by the fifth month she was pregnant.

Trevor Erikson