Acupuncture in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Potential and Challenges

The document from 2012 explores the potential of acupuncture, specifically low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA), as a complementary or alternative therapy for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). It highlights that while conventional treatments for PCOS have side effects and limitations, acupuncture has shown positive effects on reproductive and metabolic function in PCOS without negative side effects. Experimental trials, including those on PCOS-like rat models, indicate that acupuncture can have beneficial effects on metabolic, endocrine, and neuroendocrine systems. Low-frequency EA was found to increase ovarian blood flow and improve estrous cyclicity in rats with DHT-induced PCOS, suggesting regular ovulation and modulated sympathetic activity to the ovaries. It also decreased hypothalamic androgen receptor expression and the number of GnRH-immunoreactive cells in PCOS rats. Despite these promising findings, the document emphasizes the need for more research, particularly randomized controlled trials, to confirm the efficacy of acupuncture in treating PCOS and to understand the underlying mechanisms. Specific numbers of rats used in the experiments were not mentioned in the summary provided.