Acupuncture for premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

S-Y Kim, H-J Park, H Lee, H Lee · BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2011 May 24

DOI 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.02994.x

Objective

Although acupuncture is widely applied in obstetrics and gynaecology, evidence for its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is equivocal. This paper summarises and evaluates the current evidence for acupuncture as a treatment for PMS.

Conclusions

Although acupuncture seems promising for symptom improvement in women with PMS, important methodological flaws in the included studies weaken the evidence. Considering the potential of acupuncture, further rigorous studies are needed.

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Insights

Acupuncture shows promise for alleviating PMS symptoms.

This review assesses acupuncture's effectiveness in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving women with PMS were analyzed. The results indicate that acupuncture outperforms controls, showing significant symptom improvement (pooled RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.33–1.80, p < 0.00001). A comparison with progestin and/or anxiolytics also favored acupuncture (RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.27–1.74, p < 0.00001). Acupuncture demonstrated superiority over sham acupuncture (RR 5.99, 95% CI 2.84–12.66, p < 0.00001), with no observed harm. However, the studies displayed notable methodological flaws, highlighting the need for further rigorous research to solidify acupuncture's potential in alleviating PMS symptoms.