A Literature Review of Women's Sex Hormone Changes by Acupuncture Treatment: Analysis of Human and Animal Studies

BACKGROUND: It has been known that acupuncture treatment relieves gynecological disorders such as menopause, ovarian dysfunction, and dysmenorrhea. Sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and gonadotropins, are related to the women disease. However, regulative effect of acupuncture on sex hormones has not been fully identified. METHODS: Acupuncture articles including analysis of sex hormones were searched in electronic databases from inception to June 2018. The methodological quality was assessed using modified CAMRADES tool. A total of 23 articles were selected and analyzed. RESULTS: In the results, overall studies showed that acupuncture increases estrogen, especially estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and other hormones. Estradiol level was increased in most of studies except 3 studies which resulted in decreased level or not meaningful change. Two studies showed increase of FSH and LH whereas it was decreased in other studies. Other hormones were mostly increased by acupuncture. CONCLUSION: This study possibly indicates that acupuncture changes sex hormone in various gynecological conditions in women.