Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be helped by acupuncture, a small new study has said. PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects over 10% of women of child-bearing age and causes issues like irregular menstruation, fertility problems, excessive facial and body hair and acne.

A study by Dr Elisabet Stener-Victorin and colleagues of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden found that acupuncture may help such women. The study involved 20 women with PCOS, some of whom were given acupuncture for 16 weeks, while others were asked to do any exercise that would bring their pulse up to 120 beats per minute for 30 to 45 minutes.

The researchers report that the acupuncture group and the exercise group had less sympathetic nervous system activity in the muscles as compared to control groups."There were no side effects with acupuncture. If you go on hormonal stimulation, there are always side effects," Dr Stener-Victorin said. "It's a safe treatment with few complications, so it might be worth giving it a try."