Manual acupuncture may improve ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who have relatively mild menstrual irregularity and lower body weight.
This prospective, multicentre, randomised, sham-controlled study assigns women with polycystic ovary syndrome and moderately prolonged menstrual cycles to either manual acupuncture or simulated acupuncture. Participants receive regular treatment sessions over twelve weeks, followed by a further observation period, with ovulation assessed using transvaginal ultrasound and analyses including all randomly assigned participants.
The main comparison examines whether manual acupuncture increases ovulation relative to simulated acupuncture. The study also evaluates menstrual patterns, reproductive hormones, metabolic health, body measurements, quality of life, emotional wellbeing, perceived change, and treatment safety in a deliberately more clinically uniform group of women.
