Random Controlled Prospective Study Of The Treatment For PCOS By Acupuncture And Chinese Medicine Combined

ObjectivePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive & endocrinal disorder syndrome complex with special features of continuous non-ovulation, high masculine hormone and insulin resistant. It is often caused by the ineffective endocrinal secretion system and metabolism for glucose in women during their reproductive era. Abnormal ovulation, hairy, acne, obesity and polycysticised ovary are the common signs. Chinese medical practitioners opined that the fundamental pathology for the disease include kidney asthenia, phlegm dampness blockage, qi stagnation, blood stasis and stagnated heat of liver channel. On the other hand, Western doctors view that hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, adrenal gland, pancreas gland and genes etc are relevant to the disease, but the actual mechanism leading to the embarkation of the disease has yet to be ascertained. With more and more new opinions on this difficult subject emerging, it has become a favourite area for researches in this gynaecological endocrinal arena. The rate of incidence ranges from 5% to 10%. Following the increase in the social stress, unhealthy life style and a lack of physical exercises, such rate is on the rise. Currently, western medical treatment focuses on the application of contraceptive drugs and hormone to activate ovulation. They have temporary curative effects but due to the various side effects, they cannot be applied on a long-term basis. Meanwhile, the holistic approach adopted in traditional Chinese medicine philosophy through treatments based on syndrome differentiation, regulation of relevant systems and multi-targetting effects provides an edge and potential in addressing PCOS.By virtue of systematic clinical observations and scientific studies, this research strikes to explore the clinical curative effects on POCS, using the complimentary combination of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Such treatment method hits at the root of the disease. It improves the natural mechanism of the patient, brings the hormone to a state of equilibrium, resurrects regular ovulation and improve the fundamental guarantee of pregnancy rate. As such, the progress and methodology of the clinical scientific research can be mastered.MethodologyFor the clinical study,60 patients with PCOS were selected according to diagnostic criteria. They came from the Out-Patient Department (OPD) of Acupuncture Clinic of the First Associate Hospital (the Hospital) of Guangzhou Chinese Medicine University, the OPD and wards of the Gynaecology Unit and other general wards of the Hospital. Applying the methodology of prospective randomised controlled study, the patients were divided into two groups of 30 each, ie the Chinese Medicine Curative Group (the Reference Group) and the Acupuncture Medication Combined Group (the Curative Group). This research applied acupuncture to regulate menstrual cycles together with traditional Chinese medicine philosophy through treatments based on syndrome differentiation in addressing PCOS. At the same time, observations and comparisons were made with the single application of the latter method. Those patients of the Curative Group were prescribed with appropriate Chinese medicine once daily, commencing the fifth day of the menstrual period. The prescription stops at the cessation of menstruation. During the prescription period, acupuncture was applied onto the menstrual regulating acupoints once every other day. Additionally, acupuncture was also applied onto the other acupoints ie Xuehai (SP10) and Geshu (BL17) for the early stage of menstruation, Mingmen (DU4) and Xuehai (SP10) in ovulation period and Taichong (LR3) & Taixi (KI3) after menstrual period. Treatments for three consecutive months were scheduled as one course. Observations were made for two consecutive courses. During the same period, the patients of the Reference Group were only prescribed with the appropriate Chinese medicine in the manner described above but without the application of acupuncture. At the completion of the two courses, the changes on menstrual cycles, period and volume, basal body temperature (BBT) and gonadal hormone (including T, LH, FSH, LH/FSH, E2, PRL) of the patients were monitored.The SPSS 13.0 statistics software was employed to compare the differences between the patients'statistics within and intra groups in respect of the menstrual situations, changes in BBT and gonadal hormone before and after the treatments. The curative effects were analysed collectively for both Groups.ResultsAfter the treatments, the scores for the menstrual situations, BTT and changes in gonadal hormone of all patients dropped significantly (P<0.01), with the Curative Group scoring lower than the Reference Group. The curative effective rate was 83.33% for the Curative Group and 53.33% for the Reference Group. The comparison of the results showed a considerable difference in the curative effects between the two groups (P<0.05). To sum up, the curative effects for both groups were obviously shown with the Curative Group more effective. It shows that acupuncture has an edge in dealing with PCOS.ConclusionTo address PCOS, acupuncture medication combined treatments apparently have a better effect than the single application of Chinese medicine. The former has improved the signs and symptoms, established the biphasic basal temperature, reduced the LH/FSH ratio, activated ovulation, regularised menstrual cycles and increased the opportunities of pregnancy. It is evident that such combined treatment method is preferred in dealing with PCOS.