Determining the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of menstrual migraine: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Menstrual migraine affects many women and occurs due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. These headaches can be difficult to treat with standard medications. Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of 39 studies involving 2,584 women to determine whether acupuncture could help manage menstrual migraines. The review examined studies comparing acupuncture to Western medications, herbal remedies, fake acupuncture, or no treatment.

The findings showed that acupuncture significantly reduced migraine pain intensity, decreased how often migraines occurred, and shortened how long they lasted. Women receiving acupuncture also experienced better overall headache-related quality of life and showed increased levels of serotonin (a brain chemical that helps regulate pain). The treatments appeared safe with minimal side effects reported.

While these results are encouraging, the researchers noted important limitations. The overall quality of evidence was rated as low, meaning the studies had methodological weaknesses that make it harder to draw firm conclusions. There was also significant variation between studies in how acupuncture was performed and measured. This means while acupuncture shows promise for menstrual migraine relief, more rigorous research is needed before it can be routinely recommended.

For women considering acupuncture for menstrual migraines, these findings suggest potential benefit, particularly for reducing pain severity and migraine frequency. However, individual results may vary. If you're interested in trying acupuncture for menstrual migraines, seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist with experience in treating headache conditions.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated acupuncture efficacy for menstrual migraine treatment, analyzing 39 RCTs with 2,584 participants. Databases were searched through April 2025, including both English and Chinese literature. Primary outcomes included VAS pain scores, migraine frequency, and duration; secondary outcomes encompassed response rates, HIT-6, MHI scores, serum 5-HT levels, and adverse events.

Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements favoring acupuncture across all primary outcomes: reduced VAS scores, decreased migraine frequency and duration, improved response rates, and enhanced HIT-6 and MHI scores. Acupuncture also increased serum 5-HT levels and showed favorable safety profiles compared to control interventions including Western medicine, herbal remedies, sham acupuncture, and no treatment.

However, GRADE assessment revealed low overall evidence certainty with considerable heterogeneity in pooled analyses. While findings suggest acupuncture produces clinically meaningful reductions in menstrual migraine severity, the evidence base requires strengthening through well-designed, adequately powered RCTs before definitive clinical recommendations can be established.