Effects of acupoint embedding combined with clomiphene in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

摘要

Highlights Acupoint embedding combined with clomiphene could downregulate BMI, LH, and LH / FSH ratio, and increase the number of menstrual cycles in patient with polycystic ovary syndrome. Editor’s Summary The combination use of acupuncture and endocrine regulation drug has the potential to improve the function of ovarium. Objective To compare the efficacy of acupoint embedding combined with clomiphene with clomiphene alone in the treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Sixty patients who met the diagnostic criteria of PCOS were randomly divided into the acupuncture-medicine combination (30 cases) and the single medicine (30 cases) groups. For a total of 4 menstrual cycles, patients in the acupuncture-medicine combination group were treated with acupoint embedding combined with oral clomiphene, whereas those in the single medicine group were treated with clomiphene only. Clinical efficacy of the two treatments was observed after 2 months of treatment, and body mass index (BMI), number of menstrual cycles, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), LH / FSH ratio, and serological levels of testosterone before and after treatment were analyzed. Results Compared with the single medicine group, patients in the acupuncture-medicine group showed lower BMI (24.3 ± 1.6 vs 26.1 ± 1.8) and higher number of menstrual cycles (3.6 ± 1.5 vs 2.8 ± 1.2); the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.018, P = 0.025). LH (9.53 ± 5.46 vs 12.29 ± 5.67) and LH / FSH (1.02 ± 0.57 vs 1.45 ± 0.23) levels were significantly decreased (P = 0.041, P = 0.039). Compared to before treatment, BMI (24.3 ± 1.6 vs 27.6 ± 1.4) was lower and the number of menstrual cycles was higher (3.6 ± 1.5 vs 1.8 ± 0.8) after treatment; the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.034, P = 0.024). The levels of LH (9.53 ± 5.46 vs 18.12 ± 11.04) and LH / FSH (1.02 ± 0.57 vs 2.38 ± 1.09) were significantly decreased (P = 0.007 P = 0.005). Total effective rates were 76.67% and 70% in the acupuncture-medicine combination and single medicine groups, respectively; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.043). Conclusion Acupoint embedding combined with clomiphene in the treatment of PCOS could downregulate BMI, LH, and LH / FSH ratio, and increase the number of menstrual cycles.