Acupuncture Research

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Study on treatment of hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism in polycystic ovary syndrome with Chinese herbal formula "tiangui fang"

Hou J, Yu J, Wei M. Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai (200011). Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2000 Aug;20(8):589-92 [Article in Chinese]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of Chinese herbal formula "Tiangui Fang" (TGF) in hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism patients of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and compare with western medicine metformin.

METHODS: Twenty-two anti-clomiphen citrite patients were divided into two treatment groups: "Tiangui Fang" (n = 10) and metformin (n = 12) for three months. Insulin response during oral glucose tolerance test and serum level of LH, FSH, testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and waist to hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTS: After treatment for three months with metformin or TGF, fasting and the integrated insulin response to the glucose load decreased. Treated by metformin 4 out of 8 patients had restoration of menstrual cyclicity and 2 of them had double phase bases body temperature (BBT). This was accompanied by lowering in serum logT/E2 but had no significant difference, the BMI, WHR and serum E2, LH:FSH ratio were not changed. Treated by TGF for three months, 6 out of 8 patients had restoration of menstrual cyclicity and double phase BBT. This was accompanied by significant lowering in serum T, logT/E2 and BMI (P < 0.05), serum LH:FSH ratio were not changed.

CONCLUSION: Both metformin and TGF can reduce the high concentration of insulin in PCOS patients and induce ovulation, the herbal formula has a better efficacy.