Multiple Studies Show That Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture are the Best Forms of Treatment for PMS

PMS or premenstrual syndrome can be alleviated with herbs and acupuncture recent research has shown. A meta-analysis of 11 herbal medicine and 8 acupuncture studies showed a 50% or greater rate of success in the decrease of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and PMS. Moreover, no evidence of adverse side effects was recorded. This led the researchers to conclude that the herbal medicines and acupuncture used in the test were both effective and safe.

PMS usually happens during menstrual cycle’s late luteal phase. The study noted that more than a quarter of menstruating women complain of moderate-to-severe PMS. About 5% complain of severe symptoms. The study revealed that acupuncture was able to lessen symptoms by almost 78% after two to four rounds of treatment. The acupuncture protocol providing these outcomes used acupuncture points DU20, UB23, LI4, GB34, HT3, PC6, CV3, CV6, CV4, and the Shenmen point. Besides that, these outcomes were superior in many ways to the sham acupuncture treatments in the study.

Acupuncture of the hand was revealed to be more effective than traditional acupuncture in the treatment of hot flashes. Symptoms of depression, swelling, mood swings, and anxiety were handled extremely well with using hand moxibustion treatment. There were no notable differences in treatment results between acupuncture therapies given during the follicular and luteal phases. The conductors of the study concluded that these results showed that acupuncture treatments should not necessarily only be confined to the luteal phase.

The study also showed that no side effects were recorded in the use of herbal medicine, which was the same as acupuncture therapy. The PMS symptoms were effectively alleviated by herbal formulas Hsiao Yao San and Dan Zhi Hsiao. A 70% decrease of PMS symptoms was noted in groups treated with Hsiao Yao San, Vitax Agnus, or hand acupuncture. This recent study showed outcomes that were confirmed in another study named the Therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with PMS. The researchers in that study concluded that for the relief of symptoms of mild and moderate PMS, Vitex agnus can be used since it is a well tolerated and effective treatment. In another study entitled Treatment of PMS with a Phytopharmaceutical Formulation Containing Vitex agnus castus , similar conclusions were reached.

Going back to the most recent study, the use of a decoction of Hsiao Yao San led to an almost 75% rate of improvement in the treatment of insomnia and an overall decrease in fatigue by almost 69%. A rate of improvement of more than 50% in the relief of back pain was recorded with the use of Vitex Agnus castus. The Hsiao Yao San decoction scored the highest for the alleviation of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. The researchers show that treatment using Elsholtzia splendens and Vitex Agnus castus resulted in a greater than 50% improvement in the treatment of increased anger during the luteal phase. With the exception of Cirsium japonicum, both herbal medicines acupuncture manifested significant improvements over placebo controls.

The researchers assert that these findings warrant a multi-center and large scale study. They recommended more studies be done that will compare between treatment durations, dosages, and treatment frequencies, for each symptom of PMS/PMDD. They state that their findings complement the other reviews of in the treatment of PMS/PMDD using herbal medicines and acupuncture.

The conductors of the study gave background into PMS treatment using alternative, conventional, and complementary modes of treatment. It has been documented in a US telephone survey that 80% of women will choose non-pharmacological modalities including supplements, vitamins, and other types of treatment options, if available. Pharmacological modalities include the use of estrogen, GnRh antagonists, progesterone, psychotropics, diuretics, antidepressants, pyridoxine, gonadotropin inhibitors, synthetic androgen, drospirenone, and ethinyl estradiol. The researchers revealed that the majority of women chose alternative and complementary medicines, cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, dietary changes, and other non-pharmacologic approaches.

In a related study, scientists discovered that combined with cupping and moxibustion, acupuncture for the treatment of menstrual pain can be extremely effective. This study used 66 patients all suffering from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea). Two to six months treatment using a combination of moxibustion, acupuncture, and cupping led to the significant relief or even total elimination of the pain.

The study used main acupuncture points Sanyinjiao (SP6), Diji (SP8), Taihsi (K3), Hsuehai (SP10), and Guanyuan (CV4). Moxibustion and cupping were included in Shuidao (ST28) and CV4 when indicated by the diagnosis.

One other study using acupoint SP6 stuck with acupuncture needles led to the treatment of menstrual pain. During the study samples of blood of the participants were taken. The study shows that even if acupuncture did relieve menstrual pain, it was not associated with the prostaglandin’s levels of plasma. The study’s investigators concluded that the painkilling effect of the treatment of the SP6 acupoint is not dictated by the changes in the levels of prostaglandin changes in the bloodstream.

 

Amy-SuiQun Lui, L.Ac.
Asian Health Center
27059 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy
Cleveland, OH 44143
Tel: (440) 833-0983