Effects of electroacupuncture on the premenstrual syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and possible mechanism of electroacupuncture on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Method: From May 2018 to December 2018, 60 participants who met the criteria were selected and divided randomly into either the Electroacupuncture (EA) group or the Placebo (PA) group. Three courses of treatment were provided. During the treatment, the main symptoms and signs of moderate and severe PMS in each menstrual cycle were recorded by filling in DRSP, HAMA, and HAMD. The hormone levels were detected in the luteal phase. Results: Compared with the PA group, the scores of symptoms and sign dimension and influence dimension changed significantly from the first cycle in the EA group; the scores of emotion dimension and the total score changed significantly from the second cycle in the EA group. The total effective rate of the EA group was significantly higher than that of the PA group. The level of Progesterone (P) and allopregnanolone increased significantly in the EA group. 1,25-(OH)2D decreased significantly in the EA group after treatment. Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) decreased significantly in the EA group after treatment. Dopamine (DA), 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), Noradrenaline (NA), beta Endorphin (β-EP), Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), Glutamate (Glu) and Glu/GABA changed significantly in the EA group after treatment. Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) had significant changes after treatment in the EA group. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture is effective to treat PMS, which may be alleviated by regulating P, allopregnanolone, 1,25-(OH)2D, CRH, ACTH, 5-HT, DA, NA, β – EP, GABA, Glu, Glu/GABA, PGF2 α and PGE2.