Effects of electroacupuncture on menstrual cycle at puberty

Abstract

[Objective]To clarify the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the menstrual cycle at puberty, we investigated whether or not EA influences the menstrual cycle, the number of ovulations, and the duration of the high-temperature phase. Also we investigated the improvement of menstrual disorder and changes in body mass index (BMI) by EA treatment.
[Methods]Twenty-five female students participated in this study.
Non-treatment periods from three to four months were evaluated before EA treatment. During treatment, EA was performed once a week. We compared the menstrual cycle, the number of ovulations, and the duration of the high temperature phase for non-treatment and EA treatment periods. To evaluate the relation between BMI and improvement of menstrual disorder by EA, female students were divided into two groups, improvement or not-improvement group.
[Results]Twenty female students were analyzed in this study. In those with extended periods of amenorrhea, the menstrual cycle became significantly shorter during EA (P< 0.001). In those with polymenorrhea, the menstrual cycle became significantly longer during EA (P< 0.05), reaching a normal cycle length. Improvement of the menstrual cycle was found in 30.0%of the subjects. However, an increase in the number of ovulations and extended duration of the high temperature phase were found in 20.0%and 25.0%of the subjects, respectively. Although BMI did not vary significantly between the improvement and the not-improvement groups, the percentage of those with normal weight tended to be higher in the improvement group than in the not-improvement group.
[Conclusion]These findings suggest that EA influences follicular growth. However, it had been thought that EA could not influence ovulation or affect luteal function. Additionally, when BMI is nearly normal, it appears more likely that acupuncture is effective for menstrual disorder at puberty.