OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus salt-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on chloasma.

METHODSA total 106 cases of chloasma were randomly divided into two groups, a treatment group (n = 60) treated by acupuncture plus salt-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) and a control group (n = 40) by simple acupuncture. Their therapeutic effects were observed after 3 therapeutic courses and 1-month break, respectively.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 100.0% in the treatment group and 89.1% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture plus salt-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) is a safe and convenient therapy with a remarkable effect for chloasma.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Melanosis ; Moxibustion

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of oral contraceptive pretreatment (OCP) in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET.

METHODSWe randomly divided 85 patients with P-COS undergoing IVF-ET into an OCP (n = 53) and a control group (n = 32), the former received OCP, while the latter did not before the cycle. We retrospectively analyzed the data of the patients for the ovulation promoting effect of OCP and its influence on the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and outcomes of IVF-ET.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, OCP significantly reduced the formation of ovarian cyst (P < 0.05), remarkably increased the duration of gonadotropin stimulation and consumption (P < 0.01) , and markedly raised the percentage of mature ova (87.92% vs 92.85%, P < 0.05). But no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidences of moderate and severe OHSS, number of retrieved oocytes, and rates of fertilization, miscarriage and clinical pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONOCP for patients with PCOS can help to control the time of ovarian stimulation, improve the synchronism of follicular development, and increase the duration of gonadotropin stimulation and consumption, but cannot change the incidences of moderate and severe OHSS.

Adult ; Contraceptives, Oral ; therapeutic use ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; therapy ; Ovulation ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies