Acupuncture for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Potential Mechanism from an Anti-Inflammatory Perspective Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is painful menstrual cramps without underlying pelvic pathology, predominantly caused by elevated prostaglandins inducing uterine contractions and ischemia. Managing primary dysmenorrhea (PD) requires understanding its complex mechanisms involving prostaglandins, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Treatments include NSAIDs, hormonal therapies, and promising complementary options like probiotics, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and massage, significantly improving women's quality of life.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was reviewed?
This review systematically examines the anti‐inflammatory mechanisms by which acupuncture and related therapies alleviate primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The authors integrate evidence from clinical trials, animal models, and mechanistic studies to explore how various forms of acupuncture, including manual needling, electroacupuncture (EA), moxibustion, acupoint catgut embedding (ACE), and transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TEAS/TENS), modulate inflammatory pathways implicated in menstrual pain.
Who was reviewed?
The review encompasses clinical RCTs of women with PD—as defined by cyclic menstrual pain without organic pathology—and preclinical rodent models of dysmenorrhea. Clinical studies span conditions such as chronic pelvic pain and IBS to illustrate acupuncture’s broader visceral analgesic effects, while animal experiments detail cytokine, chemokine, and leukocyte changes in PD models subjected to specific acupoint stimulation protocols.
Most important findings
Acupuncture and its variants consistently downregulate proinflammatory mediators—such as TNFα, IL‑1β, IL‑6, and NF‑κB activation—and reduce leukocyte infiltration (neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells) in uterine and systemic tissues. EA at SP6/CV4 decreases serum TNFα and IL‑1, mitigating uterine contractions and pain behaviors in rats, while moxibustion lowers PGF2α and elevates β‑endorphin and NK cell activity. ACE inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome components (caspase‑1, IL‑18) and downregulates COX‑2 expression. TEAS/TENS studies suggest reductions in chemokines like CXCL8 and CCL2, although direct PD data remain sparse. Notably, none of the reviewed trials assess gut or uterine microbiome shifts, indicating a critical gap for microbiome–inflammation interactions in PD.
Key implications
By mapping how acupuncture attenuates key inflammatory cascades, this review equips clinicians to consider acupuncture as a targeted nonpharmacological intervention for PD. The absence of microbiome data highlights an opportunity to investigate the gut–uterine axis, exploring how microbial metabolites may modulate inflammatory responses and acupuncture efficacy. Future trials integrating microbiome profiling alongside inflammatory biomarkers could yield comprehensive signatures for personalized PD management.
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is painful menstrual cramps without underlying pelvic pathology, predominantly caused by elevated prostaglandins inducing uterine contractions and ischemia. Managing primary dysmenorrhea (PD) requires understanding its complex mechanisms involving prostaglandins, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Treatments include NSAIDs, hormonal therapies, and promising complementary options like probiotics, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and massage, significantly improving women's quality of life.