Acupuncture Therapy ; Birth Rate ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

OBJECTIVEThis article aims to introduce the benefits of qualitative research and to discuss how such research can be applied to the study of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

DATA SOURCESRelevant articles were published in English as of May 2013 from Pubmed. Terms "polycystic ovary syndrome/PCOS, qualitative research and methodology" were used for searching.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles studying PCOS with qualitative methods were reviewed. Articles associated with the use of qualitative research in clinical research were cited.

RESULTSSix qualitative studies related to PCOS were found in the literature search. These studies addressed different aspects in PCOS women including their womanhood, lived experience, information need, and experience of treatment with acupuncture. Five of these six studies used phenomenology as guiding theory.

CONCLUSIONQuantitative research has been the dominant approach in the field so far, qualitative research is relevant to the advancement of PCOS.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; therapy