Objective

To investigate the therapeutic effect of treatment based on syndrome differentiation and its influence on the serum levels of testosterone and insulin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

Forty-three women, diagnosed with PCOS as well as syndrome of kidney yin deficiency or syndrome of spleen qi deficiency, were enrolled in the study. Twenty-five PCOS women with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency were treated with traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing yin to reduce fire (nourishing yin group), and 18 PCOS women with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency were treated with herbs for invigorating spleen and replenishing qi (replenishing qi group). Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), and the serum levels of insulin and testosterone before and after treatment were detected.

Results

Among the 43 cases, 20 cases had high serum testosterone level, in which 13 cases with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency, 7 cases with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency, but the difference had no statistic significance; 17 cases had high serum insulin level, in which 11 cases with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency, 6 cases with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency, the difference had statistic significance (P＜0.05). In nourishing yin group, the serum levels of insulin and testosterone declined after treatment (P＜0.05), and BMI, WHR and WC showed no significant changes. In replenishing qi group, the serum level of insulin declined after treatment (P＜0.01) , and BMI, WHR, WC and the serum level of testosterone showed no significant changes.

Conclusion

Traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing yin to reduce fire can significantly reduce the serum levels of testosterone and insulin in PCOS women with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency, and herbs for invigorating spleen and replenishing qi can significantly reduce the serum level of insulin in PCOS women with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency.

Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Syndrome differentiation and treatment, Testosterone, Insulin