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Writer's picturePhoebus Tian

"Revolutionizing Treatment for PCOS: The Benefits of Electroacupuncture."




Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder in women, characterized by ovulatory dysfunction, polycystic ovarian morphology, and hyperandrogenism. In China, infertility due to ovulatory dysfunction caused by PCOS accounts for about 75% of anovulatory infertility, making it one of the most common causes of infertility in women of childbearing age.


Patients with PCOS typically experience central obesity, characterized by an accumulation of abdominal fat. This not only exacerbates ovulatory disorders but can also lead to metabolic abnormalities. Additionally, the incidence of anxiety and depression among these patients is on the rise, severely impacting their quality of life.


Research has shown that a form of acupuncture treatment called "Tongdiao Daimai needling method," combined with 2Hz/100Hz electroacupuncture, is effective in improving insulin resistance in patients with PCOS who have central obesity. The Tongdiao Daimai method involves stimulating specific acupuncture points, such as the Daimai and Tianshu, to regulate the body's Qi mechanism and restore physiological functions.


Different frequencies of electroacupuncture have varying effects on PCOS treatment. Low-frequency 2Hz electroacupuncture is thought to promote the production of β-endorphin, while a 100Hz frequency mediates the release of dynorphin. These endorphins are crucial for regulating pain perception and emotional states in the human body. The alternating stimulation of 2Hz and 100Hz can create a synergistic effect, allowing for the simultaneous release of β-endorphin and dynorphin.


Studies have found that both 2Hz and 2Hz/100Hz electroacupuncture treatments can improve the ovulation frequency in patients with PCOS who have central obesity, but there is no significant difference between the two. 2Hz/100Hz electroacupuncture can lower serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels, a marker of ovulatory dysfunction in PCOS. Additionally, this treatment method can increase levels of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), reducing the level of free androgens in the body and helping to alleviate PCOS symptoms.


In summary, this research indicates that electroacupuncture can improve symptoms in patients with PCOS, especially those with central obesity. While 2Hz and 2Hz/100Hz electroacupuncture treatments have similar effects on improving ovulation frequency, they may differ in regulating other hormone levels and quality of life. This study provides a reference for the selection of electroacupuncture frequencies in clinical practice.



Shen, L. Y., Fu, X. F., Zeng, Q., et al. (2023). Comparative efficacy of different frequency electroacupuncture in the treatment of abdominal obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome. Acupuncture Research, 48(12), 1266-1273.

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