---
title: Does acupuncture help PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Possibly. Eight out of twelve published studies showed that acupuncture groups improved more than control groups, but the studies varied in quality and more r
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/acupuncture-treatment-for-premenstrual-syndrome-2013/
---

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- Does acupuncture help PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2013

# Does acupuncture help PMS symptoms?

Possibly. Eight out of twelve published studies showed that acupuncture groups improved more than control groups, but the studies varied in quality and more research is needed.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable - review of other studies, not an original patient population

## What they did

Literature review searching medical databases (MEDLINE 2001-2011 and China National Knowledge Infrastructure 1992-2011) for studies testing acupuncture for PMS. Twelve studies meeting the review criteria were analyzed.

## What they found

12 studies testing acupuncture for PMS were identified. Nine used body acupuncture, one used scalp acupuncture, and one used ear acupuncture. Three studies lacked control groups for comparison. Eight studies showed that the acupuncture groups improved more than control groups. The studies used different acupuncture points, strategies based on symptom patterns, and different treatment timing.

## What it means for you

Acupuncture may help PMS based on available evidence, with about two-thirds of studies showing benefit. However, many studies had weak designs or no proper control groups. Future research should use rigorous methods with proper controls and test the specific approaches that worked best.

12

Studies reviewed

8

Studies showing acupuncture benefit

3

Studies lacking control groups

## About the study

Original title Acupuncture Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Zheng-Rong Guo, Liang‐Xiao Ma Journal Medical Acupuncture Year 2013 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/acu.2012.0913](https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2012.0913)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Acupuncture and acupressure](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-acupuncture/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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