Q I've been on birth control pills for 7 years because of polycystic ovary syndrome, and my period stops when I quit. Could I ever menstruate on my own without medication?
A It depends on the cause, but when ovarian function and hormonal rhythm recover, some people regain their cycle without medication. However, polycystic ovary syndrome takes time and varies greatly between individuals, so we take a stepwise approach together with the OB-GYN.
Detailed Answer
Polycystic ovary syndrome involves an interplay of insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance, so the speed and degree of recovery vary greatly between individuals. Steadily continuing treatment that stabilizes the ovulatory rhythm along with weight and dietary management can bring about change, but it is a process that takes time, and co-management with your OB-GYN is the safe path.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In fact, there was a patient in her late 20s working in marketing who, after depending on birth control pills for 7 years and whose period would stop when she quit, received about three months of treatment to clear out the dampness-phlegm (seupdam) accumulated in her body and support qi and blood circulation, and then welcomed her first period on her own without medication. At the clinic, we concentrate on releasing blocked circulation and raising ovarian function so the body can do for itself what the medication had been doing in its place. However, results vary between individuals, so we do not recommend abruptly stopping medication.
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