[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.

[Objective]We examined the effects of acupuncture treatment at Sanyinjiao (SP6) on menstrual pain in female students. In addition, the correlation between the effects of acupuncture treatment and the neurosis were evaluated.
[Methods]Fifty-one female students were participated in this study as the subject. Acupuncture treatment using Ringheaded thumbtack needle were performed to bilateral SP6 for the three months. Non-treatment periods for three months were set in before and after acupuncture period, respectively. Patients received the Ringheaded thumbtack needle through four days in a week. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated using the categorical scale for the severity of menstrual pain accompany with numbers of taking drugs for analgesic. To evaluate the correlation between effects of acupuncture and neurosis, the tendency of neurosis was confirmed by cornel medical index (CMI) and the perimenstrual symptoms were confirmed by menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ).
[Results]Twenty-seven subjects were analyzed for evaluation in this present study. During Ringheaded thumbtack needle treatment periods (acupuncture periods), menstrual pain had reduced into 48%of subjects. The number of taking drugs for analgesic was decreased with the reduction of severity of menstrual pain during acupuncture periods (p<0.05). The correlation between the effect of acupuncture and the tendency of neurosis were observed. Acupuncture improved the menstrual pain in the subjects who belong to category I and/or II of CMI. However, no remarkable changes were observed in the III and/or IV subjects of CMI. Furthermore, the high score of fives specific pain into MDQ (shoulder pain, headache, etc) and negative feelings factor were obtained in subjects who accompany with strong menstrual pain still after acupuncture
[Discussion]These findings suggest that menstrual pain was reduced by Ringheaded thumbtack needle to bilateral SP6. Additionally this result was influenced by a psychological factor and/or some kind of pain which is not only menstrual pain.