Acupuncture for PMOS (PCOS)

If you have recently been diagnosed with PMOS (PCOS) and started googling you might be overwhelmed by a lot of confusing information because PMOS is a complex endocrine, ovulatory and metabolic disorder that can present differently across people with ovaries and with a wide range of severity of symptoms. There is such variability in how PMOS presents that researchers created diagnostic criteria and four PMOS phenotypes. Recently the name was changed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome to better reflect both the current science and peoples lived experience with PMOS.

To be diagnosed with PMOS you have to meet 2 out of 3 criteria.

1. Delayed ovulation or menstrual cycles. Basically if you have fewer than 10 cycles a year or have cycles that are 35 days or longer.

2. Hyperandrogenism/high androgenic hormones. This basically means that you have elevated hormones like testosterone that can cause things like growth of facial and body hair and acne particularly along the jaw line and on the back.

3. Polycystic ovaries as seen on an ultrasound. This would look like 12 or more follicles running from 2-9 mm on a single ovary.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has officially been renamed PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome). The new name was published in The Lancet on May 12, 2026 and has been endorsed by more than 50 global organizations.

The name change was the result of decades of advocacy by both patients and practitioners. PMOS better reflects the science and lived experience of people with this condition. PCOS was a misnomer as there are no actual “cysts” on the ovaries with this condition, just partly developed follicles that can look like cysts on an ultrasound. The new name also better reflects the fact that PMOS involves many different body systems including endocrine, metabolic, dermatologic, mental health and reproductive, not just the ovaries. 

PMOS is a mouthful so let’s break it down:

• Polyendocrine means that multiple endocrine systems are dysregulated including the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axes.

• Metabolic includes insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. 

• Ovarian Syndrome includes ovarian dysfunction such as anovulation, elevated androgens, and follicular arrest.

Acupuncture can help regulate hormones like the LH/FSH ratio and testosterone, improve menstrual regularity, support ovulation, reduce stress, and improve insulin sensitivity, all of which can be factors in PMOS. I also work with all of my patients who have PMOS on optimal diet and lifestyle approaches that support hormone and metabolic balance that are unique to your PMOS presentation.

Yes! I treat this a lot in my practice. By regulating hormones we support ovulation and menstrual regularity, two important aspects in getting and staying pregnant. I work with all my patients who have PMOS on diet and lifestyle approaches that support optimal fertility within the context of your unique PMOS presentation. Research has shown that acupuncture improves blood flow to the ovaries and uterus in people with PMOS – this improved blood flow supports healthy follicular development and ovulation as well as uterine receptivity.

Absolutely. In fact, a new 2025 scientific review shows that adding acupuncture to letrozole (a medication used to induce ovulation) significantly improves pregnancy rates in people with PCOS. There has been decades of research supporting the use of acupuncture to improve IVF outcomes.

By supporting hormonal balance and reducing inflammation, acupuncture can help improve symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth over time.

Acupuncture, along with diet and lifestyle changes, supports healthy metabolic function, reduces carb and sweet cravings, and improves digestion. I work with all of my patients who have PMOS on optimal diet and lifestyle approaches that support hormone and metabolic health.

PMOS (PCOS) is a chronic condition and will need consistent care. I typically see people weekly for several months but frequency and length of treatment depends upon what your goals are and how impacted your hormone and metabolic functioning are.