OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of Ganshao Capsule (GSC) in treating clomiphene (CC)-resistant hyperandrogenemic polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and to explore the feasibility of using CC for improving ovulation induction after withdrawal of GSC.

METHODSTwenty-seven PCOS patients were given GSC for 8 weeks (2 cycles). Changes in serum reproductive hormone, body mass index (BMI), adverse reaction, as well as pelvic ultrasonographic feature were observed before treatment, at the end of 4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment. After stopping GSC medication, CC was used to induce ovulation in patients whose serum testosterone (T) < (2.1+/-0.8) nmol/L but without ovulation. Condition of follicle growth and effect of GSC were monitored.

RESULTSAfter 4 weeks of treatment, serum reproductive hormones were significantly changed. At the end of 8 weeks, bilateral ovarian volume, number of follicles, and diameter of follicles were significantly reduced, and endometrium obviously thinned. Within 2 months after stopping medication, 6 in the 27 patients got natural ovulation, and 2 natural pregnancy. In the other 19 patients who received ovulation induction during the 37th cycles, 17 had ovulation in the 25th cycles, 7 got pregnancy, the ovulation rate being 89.5%, ovulation cycle rate 67.6%, pregnant rate 36.8%, and pregnant cycle rate 28.0%.

CONCLUSIONEndometrium, ovarian morphology and BMI got significant improvement in PCOS patients with CC- resistance and hyperandrogenemia. The sensitivity to ovulation induction with CC were also improved.