OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy differences between acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking therapy and clomiphene oral administration in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSOne hundred cases of PCOS were randomized into two groups, 50 cases in each one. Acupuncture com bined with auricular point sticking group (group A): acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Zigong (EX-CA 1), once daily; auricular point sticking was applied at Spleen (pi, CO13), Endocrine (neifenmi, CO18), Unterus and Kidney (shen, CO10), t he plaster was changed once a week. Clomiphene grou p (group B): oral clomiphene was prescribed at the 5th day of the menstrual, for 5 consecutive days, totally 3 menstrual cycles was needed. The ovulation induction, pregnancy and menstruation resuming of patients in the two ' , The totally effective rate was 90.00% (45/50) in group A, which was group were observed and compared.

RESULTSThe totally effective rate was 90.0% (45/50) in group A, which was superior to 86.0% (43/50) in group B (P<0.05); the ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were 68.0% (34/50)and 64. 0% (32/50) in group A, whiche were superior to that of group B (all P<0. 05); the menstruation resuming rate was 94.00 (47/50) in group A, which was superior to 88.00 (44/50) in group B (P<0.05). No adverse effect was observed in group A, while in group B, varying degrees of nausea, vomiting, headache and dermatitis were observed in 29 cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) like polycystic ovary was observed in 14 cases under the B ultrasound.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with auricular point sticking therapy has a better effect than clomiphene in the treatment of PCOS without any adverse effect.