PCOS, IVF & Chronic Back Pain – A Fertility Support Case 🌿✨

Age: 32

This patient came to see me while preparing for her 3rd IVF cycle 💛

She had been diagnosed with PCOS for over 12 years, with elevated testosterone levels and ongoing weight fluctuations. After losing weight, her cycles became more regular (28–30 days), but her period blood remained dark with small clots — a sign of underlying Blood stagnation from a TCM perspective.

Her scans showed normal tubes and womb structure.

However, she had already experienced a failed frozen embryo transfer in January 2025.

In addition to fertility concerns, she had a long history of left-sided lower back arthritis since childhood, with tingling down the left leg. Her pain worsened in winter and cold weather ❄️ Two days before her first session, her pain had flared to 9–10/10.

She also presented with:

• occasional bloating and constipation

• 70–80% stomach removal 6 months ago

• tendency to overthink and feel anxious

• morning fatigue

• weak Kidney pulse and deep red tongue

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🩺 TCM Assessment

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, her presentation indicated:

• Blood stagnation affecting the uterus

• Spleen deficiency with dampness (digestive weakness post-surgery)

• Kidney weakness

• Wind-Cold invasion contributing to lower back pain

Even when scans appear “normal,” subtle functional imbalances can affect egg quality, uterine receptivity, and implantation stability.

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🌿 Treatment Strategy

She attended 4 acupuncture sessions before egg collection and embryo transfer, focusing on:

• strengthening Spleen and digestion

• improving uterine and ovarian circulation

• regulating hormones

• strengthening Kidney energy

• relieving back pain and cold stagnation

• calming the nervous system

She described each session as deeply relaxing and grounding 🧘‍♀️

Her back pain improved significantly, and she felt more balanced and supported going into her IVF cycle.

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🌟 Outcome

Her embryo transfer was successful.

At the 8-week scan, the heartbeat was strong and stable ❤️

She shared that she truly believed acupuncture made a difference in preparing her body for this cycle.

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💡 Why This Case Matters

PCOS, previous IVF failure, chronic inflammation, digestive weakness, and stress often interact in complex ways.

Fertility is not only about the reproductive organs — it is about:

• circulation

• digestion

• hormonal balance

• nervous system regulation

• constitutional strength

Supporting the whole body creates stronger conditions for success.

Every case reminds me that even when tests look “normal,” the body may still need deeper support.

Grateful to be part of her journey 🌿✨