Use of Acupuncture in Overweight/Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Overweight/obesity has been identified as the most common chronic condition associated with patients who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This increases the overall cost of public health care. While current effective and safe conventional medical treatments for overweight and obesity exist, such treatments are limited because of their poor feasibility and side-effects. As a complementary therapy, acupuncture has recently received overwhelming attention to assist weight loss in women who have PCOS, as well as addressing other elements of the disorder, such as stress, irregular menstrual cycles, and infertility. Despite acupuncture's efficacy and safety, questions remain as to its robust evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical commentary is to summarize the current status of associated clinical practices and the action mechanisms of acupuncture treatment for weight control in patient with PCOS. This commentary also outlines relevant concerns for future research. Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.