Natural Treatment for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Holistic Practitioner Spotlight with Nicole Brown, Acupuncturist

We are speaking with Nicole Brown, Licensed Acupuncturist and Certified Health Coach, who specializes in women’s health issues, PCOS, fertility, digestive issues, migraines and stress related conditions.

Tell Us a Story About a Patient with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and How You Helped

Sarah, age 34, after years on birth control pills, decided to discontinue them when she and her husband decided to start trying to conceive. Within the first month of being off the pill, she experienced very oily skin and started breaking out in acne on her face and chest. She became concerned when she noticed that the hair on her head was thinning and more hair on her upper lip area and belly appeared.

A year had gone by and Sarah only had one menstrual period since coming off the pill. And even though she was still exercising every day with no change in her diet, Sarah gained 15 pounds. She noticed that her sleep was affected, she felt fatigued and experienced low energy with brain fog on most days. Now along with her frustration of not getting pregnant, she also struggled with anxiety.

What had Sarah tried before seeking you out?

Sarah had seen her gynecologist in the last year. Testing showed that she had high testosterone levels and high Luteinizing Hormone (LH). She was given the diagnosis of PCOS and was told to re-start the pill to balance her hormones. This treatment seemed contradictory since she was trying to conceive.

Sarah also went to a dermatologist to address the acne. She was prescribed a medication which helped the symptom of her skin condition but had the uncomfortable side effect of upsetting the digestive tract. So, after 2 months she discontinued the medication.

After a year of symptoms and not being able to conceive, Sarah decided to consider alternatives.

How did you arrive at your course of treatment?

Our clinic specializes in natural treatments for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). We begin with a comprehensive Health History Intake either in person, over the phone, or via video chat where we review the patient’s health from childhood to present time. We go over the menstrual cycle, signs of hormone imbalances, and symptoms of every system of the body. After determining what the underlying imbalances are, we can assess the specific type of PCOS the patient is experiencing. From there, at the next appointment, we present our findings in a detailed and personalized treatment plan for the patient.

What modalities or therapies did you implement and what was the outcome of the services you provided?

Sarah’s treatment plan consisted of:

1. A personalized diet and nutrition plan designed to address the underlying insulin resistance that contributed to her elevated testosterone and hormone imbalance.
2. A specific supplement – vitamin and herbal protocol designed to optimize her immune system and adrenal health and address the root imbalances causing her symptoms of insulin resistance and inflammation.
3. Relaxation Techniques with acupuncture treatments and home exercises to address the anxiety and sleep issues. These sessions would help relax her nervous system, lower cortisol and balance her hormones.

Within the first month, Sarah noticed a change in her skin quality and reduced breakouts, usually the first change we see with our PCOS patients if the program is followed stringently. She reported better energy in the first month and felt the brain fog lift.

After two months sticking to the program, Sarah felt less bloated and noticed that her clothes were starting to fit differently. She, however, was becoming frustrated that her menstrual cycle had not yet re-established. At that time, we did a re-assessment and adjusted her supplement protocol where we added an herbal formula and changed the dosages of other vitamins. We also took another look at her diet plan and exercise program.

At the end of month three, Sarah texted me a line of emojis, ecstatic that she started noticing spotting that day and slight cramping. A couple weeks before that, we also noticed some potential ovulation symptoms, so I wasn’t completely surprised that her period had come. These types of texts and emails are why I continue doing this work.

From there, we continued to monitor her cycles and began implementing a BBT chart to be able to track her temperatures, ovulation and prepare her for her fertile days.

Six months after we began treatment, Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby boy.  Two years later, she had another baby boy. Sarah went from having no periods, not ovulating, anxious and unhealthy, to fertile and happy.

Why and When Did You Choose the Holistic Path?

I struggled myself with health problems throughout my entire late teens and most of my twenties, and even in to my early thirties.  PCOS was my reality for many years, before it was really recognized or diagnosed in conventional medicine.  I dealt with panic attacks on a regular basis, digestive issues and migraines.  I consider myself lucky that I did not respond well to conventional treatments, because it forced me to find my own treatments through endless seminars and classes, holistic alternative practitioners, research, trial and error.

Taking this approach ultimately healed the underlying imbalances rather than covering up symptoms.  I consider myself very lucky to have been able to see that first hand and now offer it to others to help them achieve their optimal health and wellness.

Biography

Nicole Brown is Board Certified and licensed to practice acupuncture and herbal medicine in Massachusetts by the Board of Medicine Committee on Acupuncture, and also holds a certification in Health Coaching.

Nicole specializes in women’s health issues, PCOS, fertility, digestive issues, migraines and stress related conditions.

In addition to her acupuncture training, she has also received extensive training and certification in the use of nutrition and supplements to optimize patient care and results.

Nicole spent her formative years in various countries in Southeast Asia where she was exposed to both Eastern and Western approaches to health and medicine. With her multi-cultural upbringing and background in Western sciences, Nicole has acquired a unique perspective on health and healing, with an emphasis on integrating Western and Eastern approaches. Nicole was drawn to Chinese medicine because of its emphasis on prevention and treating the root cause of a condition. She strongly believes in patient education and empowerment in order to achieve lasting health and wellness.

Nicole Brown
Acupuncturist and Health Coach
Inner Sage Boston Acupuncture
Boston, MA, USA

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