Category: Gynaecology

A qualitative study has examined the experiences of women receiving acupuncture treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. Researchers interviewed eight women (age range 23 to 38) living in western Sweden, after they had received a course of acupuncture, and found that the positive results of acupuncture, were providing hope that their bodies were capable of more normal functioning, and were empowering them to take responsibility for their future wellbeing. Half of them experienced noticeable changes in their symptoms, and associated acupuncture treatment with improvements, for example, in more regular menstrual bleeding, decreased hair growth, improved mood, reduced sweet cravings and decreased acne.

(Acupuncture with Manual and Low Frequency Electrical Stimulation as Experienced by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Qualitative Study. BMC Complementary Altern Medicine, April 2012.)

The UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, has published an opinion paper supporting the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women. It is estimated that one in six women are affected by CPP which can be defined as intermittent or constant pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis for over six months.

Acknowledging that conventional treatments are of limited effectiveness, the paper presents the results of a comprehensive literature review and a summary of the evidence from relevant acupuncture and herbal research trials. It concludes that whilst they found no reliable studies on the treatment of chronic pelvic pain specifically, there is evidence that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can benefit associated conditions such as painful periods, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The paper also recommends that patients consult a member of one of the large acupuncture bodies, such as The British Acupuncture Council.

(Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain (Scientific Impact Paper No. 30) 20 March 2012.)

An American pilot study indicates that acupuncture may be able to help relieve non-cyclical breast pain. (Cyclical breast pain follows the menstrual cycle, and usually occurs between ovulation and menstruation. Non-cyclical breast pain occurs due to such problems as cysts or fibroadenomas; the cause cannot always be found, but it accounts for around 30% of breast pain cases.)

A total of 37 patients who commonly described their non-cyclical pain as throbbing and heavy, were given four acupuncture treatments over two weeks, and followed up for a further three months. Patients reported a significant decrease in pain after acupuncture, with pain scores reducing by an average 3.5 points on a 10 point scale for the worst pain experienced over the previous month. Interference from pain reduced by an average 2.3 points. Overall, the percentage of patients reporting a clinically significant decrease in pain was 67% for the worst pain and 65% for average pain. Pain interference was significantly reduced for 56% of the women. On the basis of these results, the authors of the study recommend a full randomised controlled trial.

(Acupuncture for Treatment of Noncyclic Breast Pain: A Pilot Study. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2011.)

A Cochrane database systematic review has concluded that current evidence supports the use of acupuncture to reduce menstrual pain.

Australian authors reviewed ten trials covering a total of 944 women receiving acupuncture or acupressure, to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture compared with placebo, no treatment, and conventional drugs eg painkillers or the oral contraceptive pill. They found that acupuncture gave an improvement in pain relief compared with placebo control or Chinese herbs. In two trials, acupuncture gave superior relief from other symptoms such as back pain, compared with standard medication. In another trial, quality of life was improved with acupuncture, compared with usual care. No significant adverse events were identified. The authors called for further, well-designed trials to look at acupuncture for period pain.

(Acupuncture for Primary Dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Systematic Review, January 2011.)

Researchers in Austria have studied the effects of acupuncture for endometriosis pain, and found it to be of significant benefit.

In a randomised controlled cross-over trial, 101 women were assigned to one of two groups, each group receiving two courses of ten acupuncture treatments. Group 1 received true acupuncture as its first course of treatment, while Group 2 received non-specific acupuncture. Upon completion of this first course of ten treatments, an observation interval of at least two menstrual cycles was inserted. The groups were then reversed such that Group 1 received non-specific acupuncture and Group 2 received true acupuncture.

Researchers found that Group 1 experienced a significant reduction in pain after its first course of treatment, but Group 2 only showed significant pain reduction after it too had been switched to true acupuncture.

(Is Acupuncture in addition to Conventional Medicine Effective as Pain Treatment for Endometriosis? A Randomised Controlled Cross-Over Trial. European Journal Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Biology, Nov 2010.)