A systematic review by Korean authors looking at acupuncture for menstrual pain shows it is an effective intervention. The review examined 60 randomised controlled trials covering over 3000 patients; 49 trials were subject to meta-analysis. The studies compared acupuncture to no treatment, placebo or medication.
Compared with both no treatment and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acupuncture was more effective at reducing menstrual pain. The benefits of acupuncture were also maintained during short-term follow-up.
(The efficacy & safety of acupuncture in women with primary dysmenorrhea. A systematic review & meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), June 2018.)