OBJECTIVETo compare the effects between moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and oral administration of Vitamin E on quality of life and mechanism in sub-health perimenopausal women, aiming to provide clinical evidence of moxibustion for health care of sub-health female.

METHODSSixty participants were randomly divided into a moxibustion group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. The volunteers in the moxibustion group were treated with mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) for 15 min, once a day; five treatments were considered as a course of treatment, and totally 4 courses were given with an interval of 2 days between courses. The volunteers in the medication group were treated with oral administration of soft capsule of Vitamin E, once a day, continuously for 28 days. The scores of quality of life and serum levels of sex hormones, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B (INHB) were measured before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTS① Compared before treatment, the scores of quality of life in the two groups were both significantly increased after treatment (both<0.01), which was more superior in the moxibustion group (<0.05). ② Compared before treatment, the serum levels of estradiol (E) and progesterone in the moxibustion group were significantly increased after treatment, especially for premenopausal volunteers (both<0.01). ③ After moxibustion, the serum level of AMH was significantly improved (<0.01), however, the effect on INHB had no statistical difference (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMoxibustion could effectively improve the quality of life in sub-health perimenopausal women, regulate the levels of sex hormones and AMH, improve ovarian reserve function, and delay ovarian aging.