Electroacupuncture for menstrual pain from adenomyosis
Effect of Electroacupuncture for Dysmenorrhea Secondary to Adenomyosis: an Exploratory Pilot Study
This trial will try electroacupuncture to reduce menstrual pain in women with adenomyosis-related dysmenorrhea.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing) |
| Trial ID | NCT06364592 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares real electroacupuncture with a sham electroacupuncture procedure in women who have moderate to severe dysmenorrhea due to adenomyosis. Eligible participants are adult women with at least three consecutive cycles of painful menstruation and stable menstrual timing. Participants will receive either electroacupuncture or a sham procedure and will be monitored for changes in pain intensity and for any adverse effects. The study focuses on both symptom relief and safety of the electroacupuncture approach.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Women aged 18 to 50 with diagnosed adenomyosis who have had moderate to severe dysmenorrhea for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles and are not using hormonal therapies are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with a history of endometriosis, recent use of certain hormonal treatments (for example GnRH agonists within 6 months), or those outside the 18–50 age range may not receive benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, electroacupuncture could offer a non‑hormonal option to reduce menstrual pain and improve daily function for affected women.
How similar studies have performed: Acupuncture has shown benefit in some trials for primary dysmenorrhea, but high-quality evidence specifically for electroacupuncture in adenomyosis-related dysmenorrhea is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Meeting the diagnosis criteria of dysmenorrhea secondary to adenomyosis. * Female patients aged between 18 and 50. * Dysmenorrhea lasting for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles or more. * At least three consecutive menstrual cycles with an interval of 24 to 38 days, differing by less than 7 days, and menstrual periods lasting 2 to 8 days before screening. * At least 2 days of worst pain score ≥4 on Numerical Rating Scale during the screening period. * Having not used medications, other than rescue medicine, or therapies for dysmenorrhea secondary to adenomyosis for at least 1 month before randomization, and consenting not to use throughout the process of the research. * Volunteering to participate the trial and signing written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with Endometriosis or having a history of endometriosis-related surgery * Currently taking hormonal medications, including: a.use of GnRH agonists within 6 months before the screening period; b. use of progestins or danazol and other long-acting hormones within 3 months before the screening period; c. use of oral contraceptive-like short-acting hormones within one month before the screening period; * Having clinically significant gynecologic condition such as clinically significant endometrial pathology, persistent complex ovarian cyst larger than 3 cm or simple ovarian cyst larger than 5 cm, or single fibroid 4 cm or larger or more than 4 fibroids measuring at least 2 cm or symptomatic submucosal fibroid of any size. * having an IUD. * HB \< 90G/L. * Having any other chronic pain syndrome that required chronic analgesic or other chronic therapy. * Having a current history of undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. * Malignant tumors (including the reproductive system and other systems). * Combined with severe diseases in the cardiac, respiratory, renal, liver, and hematopoietic systems, psychiatric disorder and/or cognitive disorders. * Pregnant, breast feeding, planning a pregnancy within the next 7 months.
Where this trial is running
Beijing
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences — Beijing, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Zhishun Liu — Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zhishun Liu
- Email: zhishunjournal@163.com
- Phone: +861088002331
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.