Effect of auriculotherapy on menstrual irregularities in single girls with polycystic ovarian syndrome and aged 18-35 years in Isfahan in 2012

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders with a prevalence of 5-10% in women. This syndrome is one of the major causes for menstrual disorders and is treated by medicational and non-medicational methods. This study aimed to define the effect of auriculotherapy on menstruation disorders in girls with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Materials and Methods: This is a clinical trial conducted on 60 single girls aged 18-35 years with clinical, laboratory, and sonography signs. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups of auriculotherapy and medication, which underwent treatment for 2 and 3 months, respectively. Clinical signs were investigated in three steps in both groups. Data were collected through observation, laboratory tests, and sonography, and were analyzed by SPSS version 15.

Results: In 60 subjects, Chi-square test showed a significant difference in menstruation disorders in both groups 1 month after the start of intervention (P = 0.001); but 2 months after the start of intervention (P = 0.11) and immediately after the end of the intervention (P = 0.16), the difference was not significant. Three months after the end of the intervention, this variable showed a significant difference (P = 0.02).

Conclusions: Medicational treatment and auriculotherapy are both effective on menstruation disorders, but auriculotherapy is more effective on reduction of menstruation disorders, compared to medicational therapy.

Key words: Auricular acupuncture, Iran, menstruation disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome