Acupuncture for Relieving Perimenopausal Symptoms

Acupuncture for Relieving Perimenopausal Symptoms: a Randomised Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine whether acupuncture is effective for relieving perimenopausal symptoms.

• A randomised controlled trial with superiority design
• A total of 220 participants will be included in 3 centers
• 2 arms: acupuncture group and Climen® group

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants who complained of irregular menstrual cycle in the past 12 months, with a forward or postpone of a cycle more 7 days. At least 2 cycles were missing during the past 12 months, or reported menopause for at least 60 days.
• Reported relative perimenopausal symptoms, e.g., hot flash, insomnia, migraine, easy irritation, etc.
• Age 40-50 years.
• Not accompanied with conditions that are needed for hormone therapy, e.g., menopause after surgery, active osteoporosis.
• Willing to participate and signing the inform consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Had a regular menopausal cycle 3 months before this trial.
• Taking estrogen, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRI), soy isoflavone, progesterone, Vitamin E or black cohosh in the 4 weeks before inclusion.
• receiving chemoradiotherapy.
• Agnogenic vaginal bleeding.
• Coagulation defeats, or taking anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, heparin, etc.
• Dermal diseases, e.g., eczema, psoriasis.
• Liver or kidney failure.
• Uncontrollable hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid diseases.
• With diabetic neuropathy, malignant cancer and mental diseases (including depression).
• Intend to gestation, in gestation period or lactation period.
• Using sedative or antianxiety drugs.
• With smoking or intemperance problems.
• Using cardiac pacemaker, or joint prosthesis.
• Low compliance.
• Benign tumor in breast.
• Family history of breast cancer.