OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of ultrasonic conductometric acupoint penetration of Wenhua Zhitong Recipe (WZR) in treating adenomyosis.

METHODSTotally 40 adenomyosis patients with Shen-deficiency blood stasis syndrome were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 20 in each group. Patients in the treatment group received ultrasonic conductometric acupoint penetration of WZR from the 2nd day before menstruation to the end of menstruation, while those in the control group took WZR. All patients received 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. Endometrial contents of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) were determined using SP immunohistochemical staining method before and after treatment. Clinical effect, efficacy of Chinese medical syndrome, changes of uterus volume, and contents of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the total clinical effect between the two groups (P = 0.357). Efficacies for relieving abdominal pain and lumbar soreness during menstruation were better in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Uterus volume, endometrial levels and integrals of COX-2 and OTR decreased in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONUltrasonic conductometric acupoint penetration of WZR and oral administration of WZR both could effectively improve adenomyosis patients' symptoms such as Shen deficiency, and blood stasis, reduce the foci of uterus, and relieve the pain.