title: Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture (AP) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A clinical prospective, placebo-controlled trial included 57 women with PD. Of these, 30 were treated with manual AP points: Du 20 (Baihui), bilateral Li 4 (Hegu), Ren 3 (Zhongji), Ren 4 (Guanyuan), Ren 6 (Qihai), bilateral Gb 34 (Yanglingquan), bilateral Ub 23 (Shenshu), bilateral Lp 6 (Sanyinjao) and auriculoacupuncture points (Shenmen); 27 women were treated with placebo AP. AP treatments were considered successful if PD did not occur any more, medication of PD became unnecessary or PD symptoms did not occur for 2 years after the AP treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The occurrence of PD in nulliparae was statistically relevant (p < 0.001). Statistically relevant was also the decrease in medication in women to whom AP had been applied (p < 0.0001), which was not the case in the placebo group (p > 0.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success rate of AP for the treatment of PD symptoms within 1 year after the AP treatment is 93.3% in the first group and 3.7% in the placebo group.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital, Osijek, Croatia. dubravko.habek@bj.hinet.hr
authors.forename: Dubravko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Habek
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cerkez Habek
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bobić-Vuković
authors.forename: Bojana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vujić
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010298:Parity; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D010919:Placebos