OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic efficacy of bushui roumu recipe (BRR) combined medroxyprogesterone acetate tablet (MAT) in treating premature ovarian failure (POF).

METHODSTotally 90 POF patients of Shen deficiency Gan stagnation syndrome were assigned to 3 groups by random number table, 30 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with BRR and MAT, those in the Chinese medicine group were treated with BRR, and those in the Western medicine group were treated with artificial period method. All patients were treated for 3 months. The menstrual improvement was observed before and after treatment. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed using modified Kupperman scoring standard. The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) In aspect of the menstrual improvement: In the treatment group 20 patients had menstrual onset during the treatment course. Ten had normal menstruation after discontinued medication. Of them one got pregnancy one month after treatment. In the Chinese medicine group 6 patients had menstrual onset during the treatment course. Two had normal menstruation after discontinued medication. In the Western medicine group 26 patients had menstrual onset during the treatment course. Twelve had normal menstruation after discontinued medication. Better effects on the menstrual improvement were obtained in the treatment group than in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.01), but with no statistical difference when compared with the Western medicine group (P > 0.05). (2) There was statistical difference in modified Kupperman scores of the 3 groups between before and after treatment (P < 0.01). The improvement of total modified Kupperman score was better in the treatment group than in the other two groups (P < 0.01). The improvement of palpitation was better in the treatment group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). The improvement of tidal fever and sweat was better in the treatment group and the Chinese medicine group than in the Western medicine group (P < 0.05). (3) After treatment all patients' serum E2 was higher than before treatment, serum levels of FSH and LH were lower than before treatment. Compared pre- and post-treatment, there was statistical difference (P < 0.01). The serum E2 level in the 3 groups was higher after treatment than before treatment with statistical difference (P < 0.01). The levels of FSH and LH were lower in the 3 groups after treatment than before treatment with statistical difference (P < 0.01). The improvement of E2 was better in the treatment group than in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05). The improvement of FSH and LH was better in the treatment group than in the Western medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombination of BRR and MAT could improve the clinical symptoms, menstruation, and serum reproductive hormones in POF patients of Shen deficiency Gan stagnation syndrome.