Category: Gynaecology

Tear analysis following adjunctive acupuncture for menopausal dry eye shows that the treatment increases tear protein synthesis and secretion, and improves clinical symptoms. A Chinese research team randomly divided 28 post-menopausal women with dry eyes, into two groups. One group received artificial tears, whilst the other received artificial tears plus acupuncture. Acupuncture was given three times per week for eight weeks.

After treatment, symptom reduction was significantly greater in the acupuncture group compared with the artificial tears only group. The combined treatment was found to increase synthesis and secretion of tear proteins, which have a role in maintaining the ocular surface. The authors conclude that acupuncture may be a therapy for treating postmenopausal dry eye disease.

(Proteomic analysis of tears following acupuncture treatment for menopausal dry eye disease by two-dimensional nano-liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. International Journal of Nanomedicine, February 2017.)

A small Swedish feasibility study indicates that electroacupuncture can improve markers of glucose regulation and androgen levels in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Seventeen women aged 18 to 38, were given electroacupuncture three times a week over a five week treatment period. Levels of both HbA1C and androgens decreased significantly, and these changes occurred without alterations in body weight or waist circumference.

The authors say that lifestyle management, including exercise and dietary changes, has the potential to improve most PCOS-related symptoms. For those who have difficulty performing exercise or following a diet, treatments such as acupuncture might be needed. Based on the findings of this study, a full randomised controlled trial has been initiated.

(Changes in HbA1c and circulating and adipose tissue androgen levels in overweight-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome in response to electroacupuncture. Obesity Science & Practice, December 2016.)

A systematic review by authors in Taiwan, suggests acupuncture treatment is associated with a significant reduction in menopause-related sleep disturbance. A total of 31 randomised, controlled trials were identified, involving 2433 women. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction in sleep disturbance, along with increases in estradiol secretion, and reductions of FSH and LH secretion.

The authors conclude that their findings suggest that acupuncture should be adopted as part of a multimodal approach for improving sleep disturbances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

(Acupuncture to Reduce Sleep Disturbances in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, March 2016.)

Researchers in Italy have concluded that acupuncture with enhanced self-care is an effective intervention for managing hot flushes and improving the quality of life in menopausal women with breast cancer. A pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial involving 190 women, compared enhanced self-care plus acupuncture (85 women), with enhanced self-care alone (105 women). Both groups received a booklet on managing menopause, to be followed for at least 12 weeks. The acupuncture group in addition received 10 acupuncture sessions.

Compared with self-care alone, the acupuncture group by the end of treatment had a significantly lower hot flush score. This remained the case at three- and six-month follow-ups. Acupuncture was also associated with fewer other menopausal symptoms and higher quality of life.

(Acupuncture As an Integrative Approach for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Women With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28 March 2016 epub ahead of print.)

Researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina, have concluded that a course of acupuncture is associated with a significant reduction in menopausal hot flushes and night sweats, plus improvements in quality of life. Clinical benefits persisted for at least six months after treatment ended.

In a pragmatic trial, 209 women were randomised to receive up to 20 acupuncture treatments in either the first 6 months (the acupuncture group) or the second 6 months (the waiting list group). After the initial 6 months, symptom frequency had declined by 36.7% in the acupuncture group, and had increased by 6% in the waiting list group. At the 12 month point ie 6 months after their treatment had ended, the acupuncture group’s symptom reduction remained at 29.4%, suggesting that the reduction was largely maintained after treatment. Statistically significant improvement was observed after three acupuncture treatments, and maximal clinical effects occurred after a median of eight treatments. Persistent improvements were seen in many quality of life-related outcomes in the acupuncture group relative to the control group.

(Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) study: a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial. Pubmed June 2016.)