Acupuncture and PCOS: A Pilot Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14205/2309-4400.2014.02.01.6Keywords:
PCOS, Acupuncture, Infertility.Abstract
Background: Polycystic Ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 6-10% of women of reproductive age. Symptoms can include menstrual abnormalities, anovulatory infertility, hirsutismn and insulin resistance. Women with PCOS also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Past studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is a potential treatment method for PCOS that has very few side effects. However, there have been very few studies evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture in PCOS patients. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the effect of acupuncture in PCOS patients. Methods: This study involved the consideration of real body acupuncture group in the management of menstruation for women with PCOS. Each subject received real acupuncture treatment once a week for a period of twelve weeks. The study occurred over seven months which consisted of one month run in period, three months intervention period and three months follow up period after the completion of intervention. Results: A total of 11 PCOS patients were recruited for the pilot study with 7 included for statistical analysis. There was a statistical difference between the pre-test and post test scores of Progesterone and Menstrual Pattern in women who received acupuncture treatment. Conclusion: This pilot study suggested that acupuncture may have a role in menstruation regulation and impact on the ovulation mechanism and /or ovarian luteal functions. Properly performed acupuncture together with other measures might provide a new approach for fertility regulation.
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