What Roles for Acupuncture in Women's Healthcare?

Trial results remain mixed.

The role of acupuncture in Western medicine remains to be defined. Now, two trials in China suggest that acupuncture may be effective for managing stress urinary incontinence (SUI), but not for inducing ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

In the SUI trial, 504 women with SUI were randomized to 18 sessions of lumbosacral electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture (no skin penetration). At week 6, the acupuncture group had a greater decrease from baseline (P<0.001) in mean urine leakage than did the sham group. About 65% of women in the acupuncture group and 22% of those in the sham group experienced decreases in urinary leakage of ≥50% (considered a clinical improvement). Similar proportions of women in the acupunctur…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

What Roles for Acupuncture in Women's Healthcare?

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Reviewing Author