Nov 25th : Electroacupuncture may be more effective than exercise for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

An exciting 16 week randomised controlled trial compared the effects of electroacupuncture versus an exercise or no intervention within a group of 84 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).  Specifically the authors looked at whether changes in testosterone levels would be observed and also monitored for changes in menstrual frequency, in the concentration of androgens, acne and hirsutism, all known to be important clinical signs and symptoms amongst PCOS patients. 

The results showed that both electroacupuncture and physical exercise improved testosterone levels, menstrual frequency and acne more effectively than no intervention, an effect that was still observed in both groups at the 16 week follow up.  Electroacupuncture also demonstrated superiority in this study to physical exercise alone, suggesting that electroacupuncture may be useful for treating excess testosterone levels and irregular periods seen in PCOS. 

For access to the study abstract, please click here for a PubMed abstract.