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Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder that affects quality of life and is not always well managed by standard pharmaceutical treatments. This network meta-analysis pooled data from ninety-two randomised controlled trials to compare the effectiveness of fifteen different acupuncture-based treatments or combinations for managing polycystic ovary syndrome.
Researchers searched eight major databases up to August 2024 and assessed outcomes including overall treatment efficacy, follicle-stimulating hormone levels, luteinising hormone levels, testosterone levels, and the ratio of luteinising hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone. Electroacupuncture ranked highest for overall treatment efficacy, while fire needle ranked first for regulating follicle-stimulating hormone. Warming needle moxibustion was the top-ranked modality for reducing luteinising hormone, and a combination of filiform needle with moxibustion performed best for reducing testosterone. Combined approaches involving electrical, thermal, or sustained stimulation generally performed well across multiple outcome measures. Regarding adverse events, fire needle had the highest ranking, indicating a greater likelihood of side effects compared with other modalities.
No statistically significant differences were found between single and combined acupuncture therapies, and the authors caution that methodological limitations in the included studies mean these results should be interpreted carefully. Further well-designed trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Conclusion: Acupuncture modalities incorporating electrical, thermal, or sustained stimulation appear to offer meaningful benefits for polycystic ovary syndrome, though higher-quality evidence is needed before firm clinical recommendations can be made.
Source: Yang N, Li Y, Jiang H and colleagues. Frontiers in medicine (2026). View on PubMed (PMID 42591356) · doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1895421