ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of combined acupuncture and medicine in treating polycystic ovarian syndrome infertility.Methods Ninety patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome infertility were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 45 cases each. The control group received oral administration of clomifene citrate tablets plus muscular injection of chorionic gonadotropin and the treatment group, electroacupuncture in addition. The ovulation rates, pregnancy rates, incidences of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), ectopic pregnancy rates and early miscarriage rates were compared between the two groups of patients. Results The ovulation rate and the pregnancy rate were 97.8 % and 37.8%, respectively, in the treatment group and 75.6% and 17.8%, respectively, in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P0.05).Conclusions Combined use of acupuncture and medicine can increase the ovulation rate and the pregnancy rate in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome infertility. It does not significantly cause ovarian hyperstimulation and ectopic pregnancy and may decrease the early miscarriage rate.
ABSTRACT
Ovulatory dysfunction refers to absent ovulation or luteal insufficiency. It is commonly seen in women with irregular menstruation or menstrual cycles, especially in those with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. Ovulatory dysfunction is considered the single-most frequent cause of female infertility. Clinically, the two major causes of ovulatory dysfunction are polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome (LUFS). Acupuncture-moxibustion improves ovulation and helps with infertility. Through a systematic review and analysis on relevant literatures in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture-moxibustion Databankover the last decade, this paper summarized the characteristics and pattern of acupuncture-moxibustion points for improving ovulation in order to provide an optimal acupuncture-moxibustion protocol in this regard.