What are the effects of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture on menstrual irregularities? A pilot study

By Jenny Head - MSc in Acupuncture

Abstract

This small scale pilot study of 9 subjects was conducted to gauge the effects of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese [TCM] medicine on irregular menstruation. The TCM definition of “regular” and “irregular” was taken from the guideline; i.e. the regular norm was taken as a cycle occurring regularly every 26-32 days. Irregular cycles were those that were shorter or longer or regularly fluctuated within that 26-32 days. This is not the Western medicine [WM] picture of irregularity. Much larger discrepancies are acceptable. A WM irregular cycle is less 18 or over 40. An “irregular” cycle by the TCM definition will also mean that the woman’s fertility is below par. There are direct connections between irregularity and infertility in TCM. Therefore addressing the problem of irregularity has relevance to the field of fertility treatment. To gauge changes to well-being and to other or associated symptoms the MYMOP2 questionnaire was used. Basal Body Temperature charts and Billings Ovulation Method charts were also used. After 10 weekly treatments with acupuncture and TCM, 4 out of 9 subjects had a “positive outcome”, i.e. a regular cycle, and five had “some improvement”. The general trend was a movement towards the regular TCM norm. The MYMOP2 questionnaire had very strong positive results, with a mean change of over two points, indicating significant improvement in symptoms. It is recommended that trial is repeated on a larger scale with some small changes to protocol, to test statistical significance.