The effect of acupoint catgut embedding combined with cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol plus metformin on sex hormones, glycolipid metabolism and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding combined with cyproterone acetate/ethinylestradiol and metformin in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), focusing on sex hormones, glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 311 PCOS patients (April 2023-July 2025). The control group (n=152) received sham embedding plus medications, while the intervention group (n=159) received authentic embedding plus same drugs over three menstrual cycles. Reproductive hormones, metabolic parameters, and HOMA-IR were assessed.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were comparable. Post-treatment, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, fasting and postprandial glucose, lipid profile, and HOMA-IR than controls (all P<0.05). Menstrual recovery was superior (P<0.05). Clinical efficacy grading favored the intervention group (Z=2.401, P=0.016). Adverse events were similar between the groups (P=0.600). HOMA-IR correlated positively with testosterone, luteinizing hormone, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, but negatively with follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and HDL-cholesterol (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Acupoint catgut embedding combined with conventional pharmacotherapy synergistically improves hormonal dysregulation, metabolic disturbances, and insulin resistance in PCOS with a favorable safety profile.