Fu Yu and Xia Tian, Shanghai Jnl Acup Moxa, 2005, Vol 3 Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
This is just one trial of many carried out in China which looks at the clinical effectiveness of treatment of endometriosis with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The investigators report that symptoms and signs of the disease are treated effectively without side effects.
Abstract
Objective
To compare the clinical efficacy of combined acupuncture and herbs with danazol for treatment of endometriosis.
Methods
Seventy-eight patients were randomly divided into a combined acupuncture and herbs treatment group (40 cases) and a Westerm medicine control group (38 cases). Observation was made of changes in clinical symptoms, signs, serum CA 125, β-EP, PGE 2 and PGF 2α, and adverse reaction to the medicine in the two group.
Results
The overall efficacy was similar in the two groups, but the effects on lumbosacral pain, anal downbearing distention, irregular menstruation and infertility were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group(P < 0.05), and in the treatment group serum CA 125, PGE 2 and PGF 2α were significantly lower and serum β-EP was significanly higher after treatment than before (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Combined use of acupuncture and herbs has a marked effect on endometriosis and the adverse reaction is lower than the control group.