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| 2. |
- Pasquali, Renato, et al.
(författare)
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PCOS Forum: Research in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Today and Tomorrow.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Clinical endocrinology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2265 .- 0300-0664. ; 74:4, s. 424-33
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To summarize promising areas of investigation into polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and to stimulate further research in this area. Summary: Potential areas of further research activity include the analysis of predisposing conditions that increase the risk of PCOS, particularly genetic background and environmental factors, such as endocrine disruptors and lifestyle. The concept that androgen excess may contribute to insulin resistance needs to be re-examined from a developmental perspective, since animal studies have supported the hypothesis that early exposure to modest androgen excess is associated with insulin resistance. Defining alterations of steroidogenesis in PCOS should quantify ovarian, adrenal and extraglandular contribution, as well as clearly define blood reference levels by some universal standard. Intraovarian regulation of follicle development and mechanisms of follicle arrest should be further elucidated. Finally, PCOS status is expected to have long-term consequences in women, specifically the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hormone dependent cancers. Identifying susceptible individuals through genomic and proteomic approaches would help to individualize therapy and prevention. A potential limitation of our review is that we focused selectively on areas we viewed as the most controversial.
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| 3. |
- Raja-Khan, Nazia, et al.
(författare)
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The physiological basis of complementary and alternative medicines for polycystic ovary syndrome.
- 2011
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Ingår i: American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism. - : American Physiological Society. - 1522-1555 .- 0193-1849. ; 301:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that is characterized by chronic hyperandrogenic anovulation leading to symptoms of hirsutism, acne, irregular menses, and infertility. Multiple metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors are associated with PCOS, including insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, current treatments for PCOS are only moderately effective at controlling symptoms and preventing complications. This article describes how the physiological effects of major complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments could reduce the severity of PCOS and its complications. Acupuncture reduces hyperandrogenism and improves menstrual frequency in PCOS. Acupuncture's clinical effects are mediated via activation of somatic afferent nerves innervating the skin and muscle, which, via modulation of the activity in the somatic and autonomic nervous system, may modulate endocrine and metabolic functions in PCOS. Chinese herbal medicines and dietary supplements may also exert beneficial physiological effects in PCOS, but there is minimal evidence that these CAM treatments are safe and effective. Mindfulness has not been investigated in PCOS, but it has been shown to reduce psychological distress and exert positive effects on the central and autonomic nervous systems, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and immune system, leading to reductions in blood pressure, glucose, and inflammation. In conclusion, CAM treatments may have beneficial endocrine, cardiometabolic, and reproductive effects in PCOS. However, most studies of CAM treatments for PCOS are small, nonrandomized, or uncontrolled. Future well-designed studies are needed to further evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and mechanisms of CAM treatments for PCOS.
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| 4. |
- Stener-Victorin, Elisabet, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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Alternative treatments in reproductive medicine: much ado about nothing. Acupuncture-a method of treatment in reproductive medicine: lack of evidence of an effect does not equal evidence of the lack of an effect.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Human reproduction (Oxford, England). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0268-1161 .- 1460-2350. ; 17:8, s. 1942-6
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The increasing popularity of alternative treatments-methods of treatment that are not generally established in Western medicine-demands a serious debate about scientific documentation, efficacy and safety. It has been argued that there is no alternative medicine. There is only scientifically proven, evidence-based medicine supported by solid data, and we agree. Different methods of treatment, referred to as alternative treatments, are used by millions of patients every day which generates billions of dollars in health care expenditure each year. Therefore, it is important that physicians become more knowledgeable about different methods of treatment and increase their understanding of the possible benefits and limitations of each therapy. This article is intended to illustrate acupuncture in reproductive medicine today, as an example of a method of treatment that has become more established in Western medicine over the last decade. Discussed are the scientific documentation and aspects of acupuncture research, the physiological basis for the use of acupuncture, and evidence for the use of acupuncture in reproductive medicine. We are well aware that there are few well-designed papers on the effectiveness of different treatments in this field. However, we need to adhere to these principles, as we hope, do the readers of the present debate article.
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| 5. |
- Stener-Victorin, Elisabet, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society. - 0964-5284. ; 24:4, s. 157-63
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- During the last five years the use of acupuncture in female infertility as an adjuvant to conventional treatment in assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased in popularity. The present paper briefly discusses clinical and experimental data on the effect of acupuncture on uterine and ovarian blood flow, as an analgesic method during ART, and on endocrine and metabolic disturbances such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Further it gives a summary of recent studies evaluating the effect of acupuncture before and after embryo transfer on pregnancy outcome. Of the four published RCTs, three reveal significantly higher pregnancy rates in the acupuncture groups compared with the control groups. But the use of different study protocols makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. It seems, however, that acupuncture has a positive effect and no adverse effects on pregnancy outcome.
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| 6. |
- Söderberg, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Subjective well-being in patients with chronic tension-type headache: effect of acupuncture, physical training, and relaxation training.
- 2011
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Ingår i: The Clinical journal of pain. - 1536-5409. ; 27:5, s. 448-56
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Episodic tension-type headache is a common problem affecting approximately 2 of 3 of the population. The origin of tension-type headache is multifactorial, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. In some individuals episodic tension-type headache transforms into chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Subjective symptoms related to the central nervous system might affect patients subjective well-being and quality of life.
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