---
title: Does electroacupuncture reduce PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. Electroacupuncture significantly reduced PMS symptoms compared to placebo acupuncture, and it changed several hormone and brain chemical levels.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-electroacupuncture-on-the-premenstrual-syndrome-a-randomized-clinical-2021/
---

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- Does electroacupuncture reduce PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2021

# Does electroacupuncture reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. Electroacupuncture significantly reduced PMS symptoms compared to placebo acupuncture, and it changed several hormone and brain chemical levels.

 Moderate study design

60 people with moderate to severe PMS

## What they did

60 people with moderate to severe PMS were randomly assigned to either electroacupuncture or placebo acupuncture from May to December 2018. Both groups received three courses of treatment. Symptom severity and hormone levels were measured during the treatment cycles.

## What they found

The electroacupuncture group improved more than the placebo group starting from the first cycle for most symptoms. Compared to placebo, electroacupuncture increased progesterone and allopregnanolone, decreased 1,25-(OH)2D, CRH, and ACTH, and changed dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, beta endorphin, GABA, glutamate, and prostaglandins F2 alpha and E2.

## What it means for you

Electroacupuncture appears more effective than placebo for PMS. However, the abstract lists many chemical changes without explaining which are most important or by how much they changed, making it hard to understand the practical significance.

60

participants

3

courses of treatment

May-Dec 2018

treatment period

## About the study

Original title Effects of electroacupuncture on the premenstrual syndrome: A randomized clinical trial Authors Hongying Kuang, Jing Lin, Zhang Li et al. Journal Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Case Reports Year 2021 Study design Randomised trial Participants 60 What was tested Electroacupuncture delivered over three courses of treatment Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.52768/2766-7820/1228](https://doi.org/10.52768/2766-7820/1228)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Acupuncture and acupressure](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-acupuncture/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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