Acupuncture for Women's Health

This research published in the British Medical Journal analyzed the effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjuvant treatment to embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study included seven randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,366 participants from four different Western countries. The women involved in these trials represented a diverse group, with various infertility diagnoses, ages, durations of infertility, and numbers of previous treatment cycles.

In all trials, the acupuncture protocol was specifically designed to improve pregnancy rates. Acupuncture sessions were performed immediately before or immediately after the embryo transfer, and all trials used a fixed selection of acupuncture points for all patients. Most trials supplemented body acupuncture with ear acupuncture, and the acupuncture sessions lasted 25-30 minutes.

The results demonstrated that combining acupuncture with embryo transfer led to significant improvements in clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates. Specifically, acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65%, ongoing pregnancy by 87%, and live birth by 91%. In absolute terms, this means that for every 10 women treated with acupuncture, one additional woman would achieve clinical pregnancy, which is considered a clinically relevant benefit.

However, a subgroup analysis of the trials with higher baseline pregnancy rates suggested a smaller, non-significant benefit of acupuncture. This finding indicates that in IVF settings with already high baseline pregnancy rates, the relative added value of acupuncture may be reduced, but this requires further research.

Regarding safety and cost-effectiveness, acupuncture is generally considered safe, with serious adverse events being rare. It has been shown to be safe during labor and pregnancy, and no safety concerns were detected in a trial examining the effects of acupuncture during early pregnancy on later complications and perinatal outcomes. IVF is an expensive procedure, so if acupuncture can increase the likelihood of a successful IVF cycle, it may reduce the need for additional cycles, decreasing overall costs. Considering the relatively low cost of acupuncture compared to IVF, even a small increase in success rates could make acupuncture a cost-effective adjuvant treatment.

A study published in the Cochrane Library was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating endometriosis pain. Out of 24 studies that were initially identified, only one met all the necessary criteria for inclusion in the analysis. This trial included 67 participants who had laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis.

The results showed that the acupuncture group experienced a significant reduction in pain scores, with an average decrease of 4.81 points on a 15-point scale. Furthermore, the total effectiveness rate for the acupuncture group was 91.9%, compared to 60% for the Chinese herbal medicine group. 

In particular, acupuncture showed significant benefits in reducing pain for cases of severe dysmenorrhea (painful periods). While both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine were effective in treating mild to moderate dysmenorrhea, acupuncture proved to be more successful in managing severe cases.

In this research published in the Annals of Palliative Medicine, 6,703 articles were initially identified, and after a series of evaluations, 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the systematic review (SR). The studies focused on the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combined with biomedicine (BM) in treating oligomenorrhea, a condition characterized by infrequent menstrual periods.

The participants were aged between 16 and 47 years, and treatment duration varied from 4 weeks to 4 menstrual cycles. The studies were conducted in China and were published in Chinese. The results demonstrated that TCM combined with BM was more effective in treating oligomenorrhea compared to BM alone. Some of the key findings include:

1. Increase in menstrual blood volume: TCM treatments plus BM showed a significant effect in increasing menstrual blood volume. In a subgroup analysis, TCM combined with different BM regimens also showed increased menstrual blood volume.
2. Prolongation of menstrual period: TCM plus BM showed statistically significant results in prolonging the menstrual period that terminated prematurely.
3. Adverse events (AEs): No statistical significance was found in the frequency of AEs between the groups of TCM + BM and BM alone, suggesting that TCM treatment might have a satisfactory safety profile.
4. Effectiveness rate: TCM treatments plus BM showed significant benefits in enhancing effectiveness rates in oligomenorrhea patients compared with BM alone.
5. Endometrial thickness: TCM plus BM showed a significant increase in endometrial thickness compared to BM alone.
6. Hormone levels: TCM plus BM led to a mean increase in estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels, but no significant differences were found in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.

However, the study also highlighted that the overall quality of evidence was “low” or “very low” according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method.

The mechanisms of TCM in treating oligomenorrhea are not fully understood. Some proposed mechanisms include phytoestrogen-like effects, anti-inflammatory effects, and improvement of blood supply. Some TCM herbs have also been found to restore follicles in the ovaries, thicken the uterine wall, increase endometrium glands, and improve blood hemorheology.

This study published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society examined the effects of acupuncture on menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes, in 209 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years. The women were randomly assigned to receive up to 20 acupuncture treatments within six months or join a waitlist control group. The main goal was to see how much the frequency of VMS changed from the start of the study.

The results showed four different patterns of change in VMS frequency after eight weeks of acupuncture. About 12% of the women had an 85% reduction in VMS, nearly half (47%) experienced a 47% reduction, around 37% had only a 9.6% reduction, and a very small group (4.1%) saw a 100% increase in VMS. In the waitlist control group, almost 80% of women reported a 10% decrease in VMS frequency after eight weeks.

Overall, 59% of women who received acupuncture had at least a 40% reduction in VMS frequency over the first eight weeks, while 11% achieved an 80% reduction after just a few weeks of treatment. However, 41% of women had little to no reduction in VMS frequency by the end of the eight-week period. The study did not find clear predictors of how well acupuncture would work for each woman, but it did suggest that women with a certain type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis other than kidney yin deficiency might experience a particularly strong response to acupuncture.

In conclusion, this research suggests that most women may see a significant reduction in menopause-related VMS frequency after eight weeks of acupuncture treatment. Some women might have an especially rapid and strong response to acupuncture, but the study did not identify clear predictors of this response.

This research published in the journal Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine evaluated the effects of acupuncture on pain related to NSAID-resistant dysmenorrhea in 15 patients. Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at different time points: baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment, and 3 and 6 months after treatment. A significant reduction in pain and NSAID use was observed in 87% of patients (13 out of 15). Pain intensity, measured by average VAS, was reduced by 64% at mid-treatment, 72% at the end of treatment, 60% at 3 months post-treatment, and 53% at 6 months post-treatment compared to baseline. Greater pain reduction was observed in primary dysmenorrhea compared to secondary dysmenorrhea.

The average pain duration at baseline (2.6 days) was significantly reduced at all time points, with reductions of 62% at mid-treatment, 69% at the end of treatment, and 54% at both 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Average NSAID use was also significantly reduced at all time points, with reductions of 63%, 74%, 58%, and 58% at mid-treatment, end of treatment, and 3 and 6 months post-treatment, respectively. In fact, seven patients ceased NSAID use completely and remained asymptomatic 6 months after treatment.

These findings suggest that acupuncture may be an effective treatment option for dysmenorrhea-related pain, particularly for individuals who cannot or do not want to use NSAIDs or oral contraceptives.

This systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Medicine, evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture in reproductive-age females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Twenty-two studies with 2,315 participants were included in the analysis. The primary outcomes were the rate of live birth, pregnancy, and ovulation, while secondary outcomes included recovery of menstrual period and hormone levels.

The results showed that acupuncture promoted the recovery of menstrual periods and significantly decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels in the acupuncture group. However, no significant differences were observed in the rates of live birth, pregnancy, ovulation, and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. The authors concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that acupuncture could promote live birth, pregnancy, and ovulation in patients with PCOS. However, acupuncture did show potential in promoting the recovery of menstrual cycles and regulating LH and testosterone levels in PCOS patients.

This randomized, sham-controlled trial published in The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology aimed to assess the feasibility of Japanese-style acupuncture as an adjunct therapy for reducing chronic pelvic pain and improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with endometriosis. The study included 18 young women (aged 13-22) with laparoscopically-diagnosed endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain. Participants received either Japanese-style acupuncture or sham acupuncture over 16 treatments in 8 weeks.

The results showed that participants in the active acupuncture group experienced a significant reduction in pain (62%) after 4 weeks, compared to the control group. This pain reduction persisted through a 6-month assessment; however, after 4 weeks, the differences between the active and control groups decreased and were no longer statistically significant. HRQOL measures indicated greater improvements in the active acupuncture group compared to the control group, but most of these trends were not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported.

The study concluded that Japanese-style acupuncture may be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated adjunct therapy for endometriosis-related pelvic pain in adolescents. A more definitive trial evaluating Japanese-style acupuncture in this population is both feasible and warranted.

Note on Sham Acupuncture

In regard to the study findings with sham acupuncture being just as effective as traditional acupuncture, it means that an acupuncturist can choose the “incorrect” points or miss the traditional points and still get significant relief for patients with pelvic pain

This systematic review published in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that acupuncture is more effective in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) than sham acupuncture and related medications. Acupuncture is believed to work by stimulating the central nervous system, promoting the release of specific neuropeptides, and regulating autonomic nervous system activity. 

The intervention time for acupuncture treatment in the studies varied, with no significant differences found among different intervention times. The most frequently used acupuncture points in treating PMS were SP6, LR3, and RN4. SP6 is considered key for treating gynecological diseases and can regulate abnormal nerve activity and hormonal balance.

Another research review published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology aimed to evaluate the current evidence for acupuncture as a treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the review. The pooled results showed that acupuncture is superior to all controls, with significantly improved symptoms compared to sham acupuncture. A meta-analysis comparing the effects of acupuncture with different doses of progestin and/or anxiolytics also supported the use of acupuncture. No evidence of harm resulting from acupuncture was found.

This study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Guizhi Fuling Capsule (GFC), a traditional Chinese medicine formula known to be effective in treating uterine fibroids (UFs). Mediator complex subunit 12 (Med12) mutations are closely related to UFs in 85% of cases, and the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of UFs. The researchers silenced Med12 in uterine fibroid cells and established a rat model of UFs. They divided rats into six groups, treating some with different doses of GFC, others with mifepristone, and the remaining with normal saline.

The results showed that the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway was inhibited after the Med12 gene was knocked out in uterine fibroid cells. GFC-containing serum induced cell apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation, and reduced the expression of related genes. The weight, endometrial thickness, and pathological structure of the uterus in the GFC-treated groups improved significantly compared to the model control group. The expression of genes related to the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway decreased with increased GFC dosage.

In conclusion, GFC inhibited the growth of UFs, which was directly associated with Med12 modulated Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the therapeutic mechanism of UFs.

This study published in Medical Acupuncture aimed to evaluate the feasibility of conducting clinical trials on treating uterine fibroids (UFs) and related symptoms using a 7-point Tung’s acupuncture protocol. Nine participants were recruited into two treatment groups, one receiving acupuncture for 6 weeks and the other for 12 weeks. Ultrasound examinations were performed before and after treatment to assess uterine size, number of fibroids, and volume. A Symptom Survey Questionnaire was also given to participants at each acupuncture session.

All nine participants completed the program without any adverse reactions or complaints. Eight participants reported improvements in their symptoms after 6 weeks of acupuncture, with significant reductions in 10 out of 14 surveyed symptoms. The 12-week group showed a higher percentage of symptom reduction compared to the 6-week group, with 9 out of 14 symptoms completely eliminated after 12 weeks of treatment. However, changes in uterine size and fibroid volume could not be determined due to technical issues with the ultrasound examinations.

The study concluded that it is possible to conduct larger clinical trials for treating UFs with acupuncture, and that acupuncture might help reduce UF-related symptoms. Further research with larger samples, negative control groups, and long-term follow-up is needed to confirm these findings.

The number of treatments that it takes to treat any given condition is based on a great number of factors. Some of these factors can include: how long you have had said condition, age, dietary and lifestyle factors, willingness to perform self care at home, etc. It would also be safe to say that this medicine isn’t magic and no condition will be fully resolved after one treatment. However with that being said, many patients often leave the office with less pain than they started with and feeling more relaxed. 

At The Subtle Point, we offer a variety of services that can run from 5 minutes to as long as an hour. Initial appointments, however, are one hour long. During that appointment we will go over your health intake form, go over the estimated amount of treatments that will get you to your optimal health, go over the treatment methods that will be utilized, herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle advice, and more. 

For the most part, no you don’t. I typically try and utilize points below the elbows and knees, sometimes around the belly, and sometimes on the back. Because of this I highly recommend that you come in wearing loose, comfortable clothing to allow easy access to these areas. 

To schedule an appointment you can call, send us an email, or book online by clicking on the “Book Now” button in the upper right portion of the screen. 

We accept cash, check, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). 

At this time I am not accepting insurance, but I can give you an invoice/superbill to give to your insurance company for reimbursement.