---
title: Does acupuncture help PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: In this small study of 11 women, acupuncture treatment over 3 months reduced or eliminated PMS complaints. Muscle pain, breast pain, and painful periods showe
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/importance-of-acupuncture-on-premenstrual-syndrome-2012/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does acupuncture help PMS symptoms?

Study, 2012

# Does acupuncture help PMS symptoms?

In this small study of 11 women, acupuncture treatment over 3 months reduced or eliminated PMS complaints. Muscle pain, breast pain, and painful periods showed the most obvious improvement.

 Early or limited evidence

11 women aged 23-40 with PMS

## What they did

Researchers treated 11 women aged 23-40 with PMS using acupuncture at 10 specific points. Treatment was given over 3 menstrual cycles. The researchers measured symptoms before and after, and also tested blood levels of 3 markers related to inflammation: nitric oxide, a stress marker, and a protective antioxidant.

## What they found

PMS complaints decreased or disappeared completely. The most obvious improvements were in muscle pain, breast pain, and painful periods. Blood tests showed an increase in nitric oxide levels and in an antioxidant that protects cells. A marker of cell stress showed no change.

## What it means for you

Acupuncture may help reduce PMS symptoms, particularly pain-related symptoms. The changes in blood antioxidants suggest the mechanism may involve reducing inflammation and protecting cells. The main limitations are the very small sample size of only 11 women and no comparison to women who didn't receive acupuncture.

11

women treated

3

menstrual cycles of treatment

10

acupuncture points used

## About the study

Original title Importance of acupuncture on premenstrual syndrome Authors Anil A, Peker T, Göktaş T et al. Journal Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology Year 2012 Study design Study Participants 11 What was tested Acupuncture at 10 points for 3 menstrual cycles Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22905466/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22905466/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Acupuncture and acupressure](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-acupuncture/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2010

Does acupuncture treat premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 2003

What complementary and alternative medicines help with women's reproductive health issues?

Cohort study, 2016

How many Australian women have PMS and do they use complementary medicine?

Case report, 2026

Can Korean medicine help severe period pain and premenstrual stomach problems?

Case report, 2023

Does acupuncture combined with supplements and meditation help PMS?

Survey study, 2013

Does acupuncture help PMS symptoms?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗