Exploring Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Therapy for Puberty Menorrhagia: A Case Report

Background: Puberty menorrhagia, characterized by prolonged and excessive menstrual bleeding between menarche and 19 years of age, presents clinical challenges at adolescents and it is attributed to an immature hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis, leading to sustained high estrogen levels and anovulation. This case report explores the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for pubertal menorrhagia of a 16-year-old female with a history of irregular menstrual cycles and excessive bleeding for 41 days.

Methodology: Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tongue and pulse diagnostics of the patient, acupuncture needling at SP4 (Gongsun), PC 6 (Neiguan), KI 14 (Siman), SP 10 (Xuehai), LR 1 (Dadun), CV 6 (Qihai) was given once in a day for a month, each session lasting 20 min targeting to alleviate Liver blood stasis.

Result: Following 6 days of treatment, bleeding ceased completely, and subsequent ultrasound assessments after a month revealed reductions in uterine, ovarian size, and complete resolution of endometrial thickening. Onset of next menstruation was on time after a month of acupuncture treatment.

Conclusion: These outcomes show acupuncture based on TCM diagnosis has promising effect as an adjunctive therapy for pubertal menorrhagia, regulating the menstrual cycle by improving reproductive health. Further research is warranted to assess the long-term treatment effect.