title: Acupuncture in Premenopausal Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female sexual dysfunction affects up to 43% of women in the United States and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common type; however, we lack treatment options showing improvement for this condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether acupuncture therapy could improve HSDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Premenopausal women with a primary diagnosis of HSDD were included in a single-arm prospective pilot study that was approved by the institutional review board. After providing informed consent, subjects completed validated questionnaires. Participants underwent 25-minute twice-weekly acupuncture sessions for 5 weeks with one certified acupuncturist. Questionnaires were completed again 6 weeks after onset of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on a statistically significant change in the desire domain of the Female Sexual Function Index from 2.0 (at baseline) to 2.4 (after intervention with a specialist) in our population of patients diagnosed with HSDD, a sample of 13 was determined, with 90% power and α 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen women were enrolled and 13 completed the study. Mean age was 36.9 ± 11.4 years. Most were white (n = 9, 60%), heterosexual (n = 15, 100%), and non-smokers (n = 14, 93%). Most were sexually active more than four times per month (n = 8, 53%) and none had a history of sexual abuse (n = 15, 100%). Participants received a mean acupuncture needle application of 17 ± 2 at each session. Sexual function improved after intervention, particularly desire (2.1 ± 0.6 to 3.3 ± 1.2, P < .0001), arousal (P < .0001), lubrication (P = .03), and orgasm (P = .005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cohort of premenopausal women with HSDD, 5 weeks of acupuncture therapy was associated with significant improvements in sexual function, particularly desire. This supports a role for acupuncture as a therapeutic option for women with low desire.
authors.affiliation: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: susan.oakley@stelizabeth.com.
authors.forename: Susan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Oakley
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Holistic Health, TriHealth, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walther-Liu
authors.affiliation: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Crisp
authors.affiliation: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Pauls
keywords: Acupuncture; Female Sexual Dysfunction; Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder