Dr. Max Gomez: Study Finds Acupuncture Can Relieve PMS

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A new study has some promising answers when it comes to new ways of finding relief from premenstrual syndrome, more commonly known as PMS.

As CBS 2's Dr. Max Gomez reported Thursday, a new review of eight acupuncture studies has found the practice was able to reduce PMS symptoms by 78 percent within just two to four treatments.

"So, patients will typically come in to see an acupuncturist if they've been on medication that's not working. They can use acupuncture to start tapering down off of their medication, or to eliminate the need to use medication altogether," said Jamie Starkey, of the Cleveland Clinic.

According to the review, hand acupuncture was found to be more effective than traditional acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes, but a number of PMS symptoms were relieved with general acupuncture, Gomez reported.

"The acupuncture will work to target the multiple symptoms a woman would present with PMS," Starkey said.

Other results show between two to six treatments with a combination of acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping to be effective for menstrual pain.

Moxibustion is a Chinese medicine therapy using a burning dried herb called mugwort, Gomez reported. Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy in which local suction is created on the skin.

In all of the studies, researchers said they found no major adverse events or side effects.

The study was released in the Journal of Menopause because PMS symptoms are similar to menopause.

Gomez suggests that if you're really suffering from PMS, work with your doctor to see what works best for your body.

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