Acupuncture Treatment of Dysmenorrhea Resistant to Conventional Medical Treatment

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of acupuncture on NSAID resistant dysmenorrhea related pain [measured according to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)] in 15 consecutive patients. Pain was measured at baseline (T1), mid treatment (T2), end of treatment (T3) and 3 (T4) and 6 months (T5) after the end of treatment. Substantial reduction of pain and NSAID assumption was observed in 13 of 15 patients (87%). Pain intensity was significantly reduced with respect to baseline (average VAS = 8.5), by 64, 72, 60 or 53% at T2, T3, T4 or T5. Greater reduction of pain was observed for primary as compared with secondary dysmenorrhea. Average pain duration at baseline (2.6 days) was significantly reduced by 62, 69, 54 or 54% at T2, T3, T4 or T5. Average NSAID use was significantly reduced by 63, 74, 58 or 58% at T2, T3, T4 or T5, respectively, and ceased totally in 7 patients, still asymptomatic 6 months after treatment. Our findings suggest that acupuncture may be indicated to treat dysmenorrhea related pain, in particular in those subjects in whom NSAID or oral contraceptives are contraindicated or refused.

Treating gynaecological disorders with traditional Chinese medicine: a review

“…Acupuncture at such acupoints as Taixi(KI-3), Gongsun(SP-4), Zusanli(ST-36), Tianshu(ST-25), Guilai(ST-29), Qichong(ST-30), Guanyuan(CV-4) can be used to treat dysmenorrhea, especially to treat those subjects in whom oral contraceptives are contraindicated or refused (Iorno et al, 2008). Li, et al (Li et al, 2008) observed the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Siguan points with Qinglong Baizei method on primary dysmenorrhea and to explore the mechanism.…”

Effects of Somatothermal Far-Infrared Ray on Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Pilot Study

“…However, NSAIDs may lead to many adverse effects, including indigestion, headache, and drowsiness, and their rate of failure to reduce dysmenorrhea may reach 20% [5]. Therefore, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming an increasingly popular choice for alleviation of dysmenorrhea [6–13]. …”

How Is the Quality and Quantity of Primary Dysmenorrhea Affected by Physical Exercises? A Study Among Iranian Students

“…They were obtained from McGill questionnaire based on PRI and VAS for assessing the future and PPI. Several studies verified these evidence (1,14,(32)(33)(34). There are 3 lines to the control of primary dysmenorrhea including pharmacological, nonpharmacological, and surgical lines (5).…”

“…In that study, stretch and muscle relaxation techniques were proved to be effective in reducing dysmenorrhea symptoms and the VAS decreased in physiotherapy group in third menstrual cycle (12,35). Furthermore, some research indicated the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of dysmenorrhea when there was contraindication for using NSAID or oral contraceptive (33)(34)(35)(36).…”