Acne is a common problem faced by many women in their reproductive years. Often times it indicates elevated androgens (male hormones) and may be associated with menstrual irregularities, and even Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, a condition that involves two of the following criteria:

1-Elevated androgens as seen through a blood test and/ or physically seen as by Hirsutism (extra hair growth) or acne

2-Irregular menstrual cycles, which may indicate a lack of proper ovulation

3-Imaging of multiple cysts on the ovaries using an ultra sound

Many women with PCOS also suffer with infertility.

So Acne may be an early clue to the diagnosis of PCOS, indicating a deeper condition going on inside a woman than just being skin deep. The acne is only an outward manifestation of a much deeper issue, thus using only extrenal medications will not cure the acne nor will it obviously help any of the associated menstrual irregularities. Because Chinese medicine is a wholistic medicne we can use acne as tool to diagnose and treat reproductive problems through using acupuncture and internally adminstrated herbal medicine. Basically as the acne gets better and a women's cycle becomes more regular we can assume that her ability to concieve a child has been increased.

One of my cases on using Acne to diagnose and treat a women with PCOS and infertility was posted on the Acubalance wedsite. Please have a read. 

Trevor Erikson, March 26, 2009