OBJECTIVETo discuss the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture on benign prostatic hyperplasia and the impacts on hormone levels in the patients.

METHODSSixty patients were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied to Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugu (CV 2), once a day, 5 times a week. In the medication group, tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules were prescribed for oral administration, 0.2 mg, once a day. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks in both of the two groups. The changes in serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E) and E/T, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and its erectile function score (ⅡEF5) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) as well as the adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSBefore and after treatment, the differences in serum T, Eand E/T were not significant in the electroacupuncture group (all>0.05); the difference in E/T was significant in the medication group (<0.05). The differences in serum T, Eand E/T were not significant between the two groups (all>0.05). IPSS was reduced as compared with that before treatment in the electroacupuncture group (<0.05) and was not different significantly as compared with that before treatment in the medication group (>0.05). The difference was significant in comparison of the two groups after treatment (<0.05), and the electroacupuncture group was better. After treatment, the symptom severity was reduced apparently in the electroacupuncture group and the overall situation was better than that in the medication group (<0.05). ⅡEF5 score and PSA were not different significantly before and after treatment in the two groups and between the two groups (all>0.05). The total effective rate was 60.7% (17/28) in the electroacupuncture group, apparently better than 30.8% (8/26,<0.05) in the the medication group.

CONCLUSIONSElectroacupucnture at Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugu (CV 2) apparently relieves the symptoms in the patients and the therapeutic effects are better than the oral administration of tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, but electroacupuncture has not apparent impacts on serum T and Elevels.