A systematic review and meta-analysis carried out by researchers in Korea, supports the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (more severe PMS usually with prominent psychological symptoms such as depression and/or anxiety).
The authors looked at eight acupuncture studies and eleven herbal medicine studies, published over a ten year period. Treatments were found to alleviate symptoms by 50% or more compared to baseline, with no reports of any major adverse events. In the case of acupuncture, a reduction of up to 78% in symptom severity was seen after as few as two to four treatments.
(Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/ premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review. BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine, January 2014.)