Complementary Therapy with Traditional Chinese Medicine for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The document from 2018 reviewed the potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a complementary approach to treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting 5-20% of women of reproductive age globally. It detailed the various comorbidities associated with PCOS, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease, and discussed the limitations of conventional treatments like clomiphene citrate, metformin, and oral contraceptives, which can have side effects and low adherence rates. Bariatric surgery was mentioned as having some benefits but lacked evidence for fertility improvement. TCM and acupuncture were highlighted for their use in managing PCOS symptoms, with herbal formulas like Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San and Wen-Jing-Tang being used to regulate menstruation and improve ovulation rates. Acupuncture and moxibustion were also noted for their potential in treating reproductive and endocrine metabolic disorders. The document concluded that while TCM and acupuncture could lead to better outcomes and reduced medical costs, more research is needed to substantiate their effectiveness as complementary therapies for PCOS.