Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine
Explore clinical research on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for gynecology, fertility, menopause, migraines and digestive health.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Greater Menstrual Pain Relief
Compared with the pharmaceutical treatments studied
2008
39 randomized trials 3,475 participants
A Cochrane review found Chinese herbal medicine was associated with greater menstrual pain relief and improvements in associated symptoms compared with the pharmaceutical treatments studied.
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2.77 Out of 10 Points Greater Pain Reduction
In endometriosis-related pelvic pain compared with control treatments
2023
6 studies 331 participants
A systematic review found acupuncture was associated with meaningful improvements in endometriosis-related pelvic pain. In two trials involving 125 participants, acupuncture produced an average 2.77-point greater reduction on a 0–10 pain scale compared with control treatments.
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1.7 More Oocytes
Retrieved on average compared with control groups
2026
11 randomized trials 885 participants
A meta-analysis found acupuncture was associated with higher clinical pregnancy, live birth and implantation rates among patients with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSI, alongside an average of 1.7 additional oocytes and 1.5 more optimal-quality embryos.
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76% Higher Odds
Of producing high-quality embryos compared with control groups
2026
18 randomized controlled trials
A meta-analysis found acupuncture was associated with improvements in embryo quality, oocyte quality and fertilization outcomes during IVF. Improvements in embryo quality were observed in studies involving 5–8 acupuncture sessions.
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27% Higher Relative Live Birth Rate
2026
18 randomized controlled trials 4,872 participants
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that acupuncture was associated with a 27% higher relative live birth rate and a 25% higher relative clinical pregnancy rate among women undergoing IVF. The analysis also suggested more favourable outcomes with four or more acupuncture sessions.
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34% Higher Relative Live Birth Rate
2020
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
A meta-analysis found that Chinese herbal medicine used alongside IVF/ICSI was associated with a 34% higher relative live birth rate and improved clinical pregnancy rates compared with control groups. The included studies investigated a variety of herbal formulas and treatment approaches.
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80% Reported Overall Benefit
Including improvements in hot flashes, night sweats and sleep
2019
70 participants
A randomized trial found that 80% of women receiving five weekly acupuncture treatments reported an overall benefit, including improvements in hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disturbances.
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Menopausal Symptom Relief
Including improvements in hot flashes and overall symptom severity
2019
19 randomized controlled trials 2,469 women
A systematic review investigated Chinese herbal medicine for menopause, reporting improvements in certain measures of hot flash severity and overall menopausal symptoms.
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41% Had at Least 50% Fewer Headaches
Compared with 17% receiving usual care.
2016
22 trials 4,985 participants
A Cochrane review found that 41% of patients receiving acupuncture experienced at least a 50% reduction in headache frequency, compared with 17% receiving usual care.
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1.9 Fewer Migraine Days
Per four weeks, on average, compared with placebo.
2022
18 randomized controlled trials 3,015 participants
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with fewer migraine days, reduced migraine frequency and lower pain severity compared with placebo.
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76% Reported Improvement
In irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
1998
116 participants
A randomized controlled trial found that 76% of patients receiving a standardized Chinese herbal formula reported improvement in IBS symptoms, compared with 33% receiving placebo.
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58% Experienced Improvement
In abdominal pain and diarrhea symptoms
2025
280 participants
A randomized trial found that approximately 58% of patients receiving acupuncture experienced meaningful improvements in abdominal pain and diarrhea, compared with 41% receiving sham acupuncture.
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