Acupuncture as an alternative treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome: Effects on ovulation rate, pregnancy rate and endometrial receptivity.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment as an alternative therapy on ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, and endometrial receptivity in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

This was a randomized, single-blind, sham acupuncture-controlled clinical trial that included 134 patients who met the inclusion criteria for PCOS infertility. Both groups received letrozole as the base treatment, with the treatment group receiving additional acupuncture treatment twice a week and the control group receiving placebo acupuncture treatment throughout three menstrual cycles. The study collected data collection at baseline, at the end of treatment, looking at ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, sex hormone levels [follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL)], endometrial receptivity (Salle Score), assessment of uterine using resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) blood flow.

RESULTS

The ovulation and pregnancy rate across treatment cycles of women in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (77.97 % and 49.74 % ovulation rate and 56.72 % and 29.85 % pregnancy rate across treatment cycles, respectively). Comparison of sex hormone levels showed a significant decrease in testosterone (T) levels in the treatment group (P = 0.005). In comparison of endometrial receptivity by Salle score, the total effective rate of the treatment group (86.4 %) was significantly higher than that of the control group (67.2 %), which was different between the two groups (P = 0.005). In comparison of PI and RI, the PI and RI of the treatment group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture treatment can effectively improve ovulation and pregnancy rate across treatment cycles, reduce androgens, and regulate endometrial receptivity in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, a finding that supports the use of acupuncture as an alternative therapy for treating infertile patients and provides a reference for individualized treatment strategies.