Acupuncture for Chronic Pelvic Pain

Effect of Acupuncture for Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: a Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of the study is to assess the effects and safety of acupuncture for moderate to severe chronic pelvic pain in women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female patients aged between 18 and 50.
• Chronic pelvic pain (with or without dysmenorrhoea or dyspareunia) of at least 6 months duration.
• Having not used medications, other than rescue medicine, or therapies for chronic pelvic pain for at least 4 weeks before randomization, and consenting not to use throughout the process of the research.
• Completing Weekly Pain Diary for at least three week during the four-week run-in period, and at least two of the worst pain scoring ≥4 on the Numeric Rating Scale.
• Volunteering to participate the trial and signing written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cyclical chronic pelvic pain, such as only with dysmenorrhea.
• Endometriosis.
• Adenomyosis.
• Complex ovarian cyst.
• Accessory cyst >5cm.
• Uterine fibroids >5cm.
• Malignant disease.
• Anterior sacral neurectomy or uterine sacral nerve ablation before or scheduled in the next 6 month.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Symptomatic urinary tract infection.
• Acute pelvic inflammation.
• Uncontrolled vaginitis.
• Lactation period, pregnancy, or fetation planned in the next 6 months.
• Sever disorders in heart, lung, brain, liver, kidney and hematopoietic system, or obvious psychiatric or cognitive dysfunction.
• Poor adherence.