Acupuncture for Primary Dysmenorrhea

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Written by: DrTonyWillcox | May 28, 2013

Research One

Menstrual pain can be debilitating for those experiencing primary dysmenorrhea.

Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea: a randomized study on clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in usual care.

Claudia M.Witt, MD, MBA; ThomasReinhold, MSc; Benno Brinkhaus, MD;
StephanieRoll, MSc; Susanne Jena, MSc; Stefan N.Willich, MD, MPH, MBA

CONCLUSION:

Furthermore, incorporating additional acupuncture into treatment plans for patients with dysmenorrhea significantly improves pain relief and enhances quality of life compared to relying solely on usual care. Moreover, this approach proves cost-effective within standard thresholds. Consequently, acupuncture offers a valuable, holistic option for managing dysmenorrhea effectively.

Patient receiving acupuncture for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Reference

Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea:
a randomized study on clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in usual care

Research Two

At the end of the 3 months treatment phase, although the pain outcomes were marginally lower for women in the acupuncture group, there were no significant differences between groups (Figure 2). Women reported fewer mood changes in the acupuncture group (53%) compared with the control group (72%), 0.72, 95% CI 0.53–1.00, (Figure 3).

Six months following trial entry, there was a significant reduction in the duration of menstrual pain in the acupuncture group (30 h) compared with the control group (39 h). There was a reduced need for additional analgesia in the acupuncture (54%) compared with the control group (82%), 0.69, 95% CI 0.49–0.96, The intensity of pain was lower for women receiving acupuncture, but not significantly different to the control group.

Furthermore, adding acupuncture to treatment plans for dysmenorrhea actively reduces pain and boosts quality of life compared to using only standard care. Additionally, this method delivers cost-effective results within typical thresholds. As a result, acupuncture provides a powerful, holistic solution for effectively managing dysmenorrhea.

At the 12-month follow-up, the earlier improvements reported by women in the acupuncture group were no longer sustained, and there were no differences between groups. The intensity of menstrual pain, duration of pain, and the presence of other menstrual symptoms (Figure 4) reduced over time from trial entry for both groups.

Reference

Acupuncture to Treat Primary Dysmenorrhea in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Caroline A. Smith,1 Caroline A. Crowther,2 Oswald Petrucco,3 Justin Beilby,4 and Hannah Dent5

Acupuncture to Treat Primary Dysmenorrhea in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Research Three

OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture (AP) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

METHODS:
A clinical perspective, placebo-controlled trial included 57 women with PD. Of these, 30 were treated with manual AP points listed below.

Du 20 (Baihui), bilateral Li 4 (Hegu), Ren 3 (Zhongji), Ren 4 (Guanyuan), Ren 6 (Qihai), bilateral Gb 34 (Yanglingquan), bilateral Ub 23 (Shenshu), bilateral Lp 6 (Sanyinjao).

Auriculoacupuncture points (Shenmen); 27 women were treated with placebo AP.

Moreover, acupuncture (AP) treatments actively succeed when they completely eliminate painful dysmenorrhea(PD), remove the need for PD medication, or prevent PD symptoms for two years following treatment. Consequently, these outcomes highlight acupuncture’s effectiveness as a reliable, long-term solution for managing PD. Moreover, this holistic approach consistently provides enduring relief, thereby empowering patients to flourish without persistent discomfort.

RESULTS:
The occurrence of PD in nulliparae was statistically relevant (p < 0.001). Statistically relevant was also the decrease in medication in women to whom AP had been applied (p < 0.0001), which was not the case in the placebo group (p > 0.5).

CONCLUSION:
The success rate of AP for the treatment of PD symptoms within 1 year after the AP treatment is 93.3% in the first group and 3.7% in the placebo group.

Reference

Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea.

Research Four

Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea:
A randomized study on clinical effectiveness
and cost-effectiveness in the usual care.
Claudia M.Witt, MD, MBA; Thomas Reinhold, MSc; Benno Brinkhaus, MD;
StephanieRoll, MSc; Susanne Jena, MSc; Stefan N.Willich, MD, MPH, MBA

CONCLUSION: Additional acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea
was associated with improvements in pain and quality of life.

In contrast, acupuncture actively outperforms treatment with only usual care and proves cost-effective within standard thresholds.

Reference

Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea: a randomized study on clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in usual care.