OBJECTIVETo objectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for treatment of peri-menopausal syndrome.

METHODSAll the patients enrolled were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group were treated with EA at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for 3 therapeutic courses, thrice each week, 30 min each time, one month constituting one course. The control group were treated with oral administration of nylestriol for 3 months, 2 mg each time, twice each month. For the menopausal patient, medroxyprogesterone was added from the third month of the treatment for 7 days, 6 mg each day. Changes of vasomotorial symptoms, mental symptoms and scores of Kupperman indexes before and after treatment for 1 month, 2 months and 3 months were investigated.

RESULTSEA could significantly decrease the score of Kupperman indexes, improve vasomotorial symptoms and mental symptoms in the patient of peri-menopausal syndrome with no severe adverse effects. The control group in the score of Kupperman indexes was slightly higher than the treatment group with no significant difference between the two groups, but the treatment group in improvement of the vasomotorial symptoms was better than the control group and in improvement of mental symptoms was not as good as the control group.

CONCLUSIONEA at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) is effective and safe for treatment of peri-menopausal syndrome.