The evidence that acupuncture can help women with their monthly pains is "convincing", researchers say today.
Women find acupuncture more effective than herbal treatments or drugs, according to a detailed study of the evidence.
Korean researchers examined some 27 research projects that had involved nearly 3,000 women in trials of acupuncture.
All the projects used "randomised control", which means women were selected for acupuncture or other treatments by lottery.
Several different kinds of acupuncture had been tested as well as traditional acupuncture. This included electro-acupuncture and laser acupuncture.
The researchers, from the Oriental Hospital at Kyung Hee University Medical Centre, Korea, says up to half of young women suffer from period pains.
The findings are published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Journal editor Professor Philip Steer said the findings did not mean that women could rely solely on acupuncture for treatment – and that women should seek medical advice.
He said: "Some women suffer from intense period pains so much so that they are unable to function normally. It isn’t just pins and needles.
"Complementary therapies should not be used exclusively, at the expense of conventional treatment, unless significant improvements have been made and your doctor tells you otherwise."
Cho S-H, Hwang E-W. Acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhoea: a systematic review. BJOG 2010; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02489.x
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