OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy difference between scrapping therapy combined withDecoction and the single application ofDecoction for perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) with pattern of fire excess fromdeficiency.

METHODSEighty patients were assinged into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. Patients in the control group were treated with oral administration ofDecoction to clear heart heat and nourish kidney. One dose of the decoction was taken by two times within one day. Based on the treatment of the control group, patients in the observation group were additionally treated with scrapping therapy along the urinary bladder meridian of foot-, heart meridian of hand-and kidney meridian of foot-; the scrapping therapy was performed at Back-points, Shenmen (HT 7), Yongquan (KI 1), Taixi (KI 3), Zhaohai (KI 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), etc.; the treatment was given once every week. Four weeks of treatment were taken as one course in two groups, and totally 2 courses were given. The modified Kupperman score, menopausal quality of life (MENQOL), level of serum estrogen (E), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) before and after treatment as well as the clinical efficacy were valuated between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, each item score and total score of modified Kupperman were reduced apparently in the two groups (<0.01,<0.05) except dyspareunia score in the control group. The score of hot flash and sweating, paresthesia, depression, fatigue, arthralgia, palpitation, formication, urinary symptoms and total score in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (<0.01,<0.05). After treatment, the total score and each dimension score of MENQOL were obviously decreased in the two groups (all<0.01), and the scores of vasomotor symptoms, psychosocial condition and physical condition in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (<0.01,<0.05). There were no significant differences of serum hormone levels before and after treatment between the two groups (all>0.05), however, after treatment, the serum Elevel had the tendency to raise and serum LH, FSH levels had the tendency to decrease in the observation group. The total effective rate was 97.4% (37/38) in the observation group, which was higher apparently than 81.1% (30/37) in the control group (<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe scrapping therapy combined withDecoction or the simple application ofDecoction can both improve PMS symptoms and the quality of life, delay the ovary recession; the combination of scrapping therapy andDecoction achieve superior efficacy on PMS syndrome to the simple application ofDecoction.