Acupuncture combined with Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Acupuncture combined with Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome Xiao-Tao Huang1; , Shao-Rong Liang1, Lu Wang1 1Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hubei Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuhan 430070 (P.R. China) Summary The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with western medicine and Chinese medicine to tonify the kidney, promote blood circulation, and eliminate sputum in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The 156 patients with PCOS who met the diagnostic criteria were randomly divided into the western medicine group who received Diane-35 (n = 40), the Chinese and western medicine group who received Diane-35 plus Chinese medicine to tonify the kidney, promote blood circulation, and eliminate sputum (n = 60), and the acupuncture and medicine group who received Chinese and western medicine plus acupuncture (n = 56). The groups received continuous treatment for three menstrual cycles. The pre- and post-treatment levels of serum testosterone (T) and fasting insulin (FINS), luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio, and ovulation rate were compared within the three groups. Compared with before treatment, all three groups showed decreases in the serum T and FINS levels and LH/FSH ratio (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the post-treatment decreases in serum T and FINS levels, LH/FSH ratio, and ovulation rate were superior in the acupuncture and medicine group compared with the western medicine group (P < 0.05) and Chinese and western medicine group (P < 0.05). The concomitant use of acupuncture, Diane-35, and Chinese medicine to tonify the kidney, promote blood circulation, and eliminate sputum is effective in treating PCOS. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome; Acupuncture; Chinese medicine; Western medicine; Treatment efficacy.