Impact of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;300(1):E37-45. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00495.2010. Epub 2010 Oct 13.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo/amenorrhea, and polycystic ovaries. We aimed to determine whether low-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) would decrease hyperandrogenism and improve oligo/amenorrhea more effectively than physical exercise or no intervention. We randomized 84 women with PCOS, aged 18-37 yr, to 16 wk of low-frequency EA, physical exercise, or no intervention. The primary outcome measure changes in the concentration of total testosterone (T) at week 16 determined by gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was analyzed by intention to treat. Secondary outcome measures were changes in menstrual frequency; concentrations of androgens, estrogens, androgen precursors, and glucuronidated androgen metabolites; and acne and hirsutism. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 16 wk of intervention, and after a 16-wk follow-up. After 16 wk of intervention, circulating T decreased by -25%, androsterone glucuronide by -30%, and androstane-3α,17β-diol-3-glucuronide by -28% in the EA group (P = 0.038, 0.030, and 0.047, respectively vs. exercise); menstrual frequency increased to 0.69/month from 0.28 at baseline in the EA group (P = 0.018 vs. exercise). After the 16-wk follow-up, the acne score decreased by -32% in the EA group (P = 0.006 vs. exercise). Both EA and exercise improved menstrual frequency and decreased the levels of several sex steroids at week 16 and at the 16-wk follow-up compared with no intervention. Low-frequency EA and physical exercise improved hyperandrogenism and menstrual frequency more effectively than no intervention in women with PCOS. Low-frequency EA was superior to physical exercise and may be useful for treating hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00484705.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acneiform Eruptions / therapy
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amenorrhea / therapy*
  • Androstane-3,17-diol / analogs & derivatives
  • Androstane-3,17-diol / blood
  • Androstane-3,17-diol / chemistry
  • Androsterone / analogs & derivatives
  • Androsterone / blood
  • Androsterone / chemistry
  • Combined Modality Therapy / adverse effects
  • Electroacupuncture* / adverse effects
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperandrogenism / blood
  • Hyperandrogenism / therapy*
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Motor Activity*
  • Oligomenorrhea / therapy*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / therapy*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Testosterone / chemistry
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • androsterone glucuronide
  • Androstane-3,17-diol
  • androstane-3,17-diol glucuronide
  • Testosterone
  • Androsterone

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00484705