Underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy on polycystic ovary syndrome: Evidences from animal and clinical studies

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age. Current standard treatment includes lifestyle change, oral pharmacological agents, and surgical modalities. However, the efficacy of current therapies is less than satisfactory. Clinical evidence has shown that acupuncture is effective for regulating hormone levels, promoting ovulation, and attenuating insulin resistance in patients with PCOS. Acupuncture may affect the production of β‐endorphin, which may lead to gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion and then affect ovulation, menstrual cycle, and fertility. The mechanism of acupuncture for patients with PCOS has not been comprehensively reviewed so far. Better understanding of the mechanisms of acupuncture would help popularize the use of acupuncture therapy for patients with PCOS. In this narrative review, we aimed to overview the potential mechanisms and evidence-based data of acupuncture on PCOS, and analyze the most frequently used acupoints based on animal and clinical studies. The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the current situation in this field.

Use of complementary medicine vs alternative therapies in Polycystic ovary syndrome

“…En consideración a la importancia de disminuir la sintomatología y mejorar la salud reproductiva, los estudios de Wu et al, Chen et al, Wang et al y Ye et al, evidenciaron la efectividad de la acupuntura en la recuperación del periodo menstrual de manera regular, mediante la inducción a la ovulación y el aumento de la tasa de fertilidad. (15,20,22,24) Sin embargo, para Peng et al (21) la acupuntura es beneficiosa y segura en conjunto con la administración de metformina ya que, disminuye los signos y síntomas del Síndrome de Ovario poliquístico y mejora los niveles de insulina aumentando el consumo de energía.…”

Effects of Acupuncture Treatment on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

“…Ye et al[85].Liu MC, Rugo HS, et al TBCRC 002: A phase II, randomized, open-label trial of preoperative letrozole with or without bevacizumab in postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed stage 2/3 hormone receptor-positive and HER2negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research.…”