Preface

**Section 4 Complementary Therapies 89**

**VI** Contents

**Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 91**

Chapter 7 **Complementary Therapy with Traditional Chinese Medicine for**

Yen-Nung Liao, Wen-Long Hu and Yu-Chiang Hung

Polycystic ovarian syndrome affects females in reproductive age and may affect up to late reproductive life. The disease produces considerable morbidity, and one of its foremost phe‐ notypes, hirsutism, produces considerable psychological stress in women. Its clinical fea‐ tures are widely variable and are not solely diagnostic of polycystic ovarian disease. The definitions of the disease remains elusive. This can be deciphered from the several diagnos‐ tic criteria put forward by different societies from time to time. Various definitions have tried to take into account the pathophysiology of the disease, but the final word is not yet out. The controversy continues whether gonadotropin levels or polycystic morphology of the ovary is the diagnostic abnormality. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a disorder of excess androgen, primary or secondary to multiple aetiologies. There are metabolic changes involv‐ ing carbohydrate and fat metabolism and increased cardiovascular risk and fatalities. Large numbers of patients are relieved of the problem, while many of them are still perplexed as the disease rages unabated.

For clinicians and researchers alike, polycystic ovarian syndrome is currently an intriguing entity. The controversy on the primary etiological factors and organ of origin of the disorder is persisting. The genetic and environmental factors interplay and produce a spectrum of the disorder. Obesity plays a crucial role in the clinical picture. Hirsutism resolves in many but may be problematic in some patients. Lifestyle changes are sheet anchor, but hormonal con‐ trol poses challenges to clinician. The treatment is mostly unsatisfactory. The modifiable fac‐ tors in patients must be consistently addressed for improving the outcome from metabolic and cardiovascular complications.

The book has been written keeping in mind the controversies of definition, pathophysiology and clinical implications of the disease and tries to put forth the available literature. The discussion will improve understanding of the disease process and help the readers to care for patients at large.

> **Prof. Neeraj Kumar Agrawal** Professor and Head Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, India

> > **Dr. Kiran Singh** Assistant Professor Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, India

**Section 1**

**Introduction**

**Section 1**
