Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Objective: To evaluate acupuncture as a therapeutic method for uterine cervical ectopy with analysis of risk factors that interfere with the metaplastic response. Materials and Methods: From November 2010 to December 2015, the authors selected 51 healthy women with ectopy, reproductive age, no previous therapy, and negative conventional cytology Pap smear (CPS) for malignancy in the study group (S), treated with ten acupuncture sessions, weekly, and control group (C) with expectant management. The authors conducted anamnesis directed to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), collection for liquid-based cytology (LBC), and colposcopy with photographs at study inclusion and follow-up at 90 days. The authors evaluated the therapeutic response by means of computerized planimetry in the images with 3% acetic acid solution (aa), considering the differential of the percentages of the areas of ectopy (ΔPe). The data were analyzed statistically. Results: Group S had 23 women and group C had 28. The mean age was 25.6 years, predominantly Caucasian, symptomatic, and non-smokers (100%). Group S presented a later age for first sexual intercourse (p < 0.001) and used less hormonal contraceptives (p < 0.001). LBC confirmed benignity and found no deviation of flora for bacterial vaginosis (BV). Group S presented higher ΔPe than C (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The authors observed a favorable therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the metaplastic process. The use of hormonal contraceptives and age of first sexual intercourse were the relevants risk factors, the same did not occur in smoking subjects and in the deviation of flora to BV.
