Electroacupuncture for Refractory Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Case Report with 24-Month Follow-Up.

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a debilitating condition that affects many women and can be difficult to treat effectively. This case report describes a 28-year-old woman who suffered from severe, persistent pelvic pain that began after a medical abortion and intense exercise. Her pain was initially rated as 6-7 out of 10 on a pain scale, and despite trying multiple conventional treatments including hormone therapy (leuprolide acetate), nerve pain medication (pregabalin), and even a surgical nerve procedure, her pain actually worsened to a maximum of 10 out of 10. Traditional acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine also provided minimal relief. However, when she began electroacupuncture (EA) treatment—a form of acupuncture that adds mild electrical stimulation to the needles—her condition dramatically improved. After 40 treatment sessions, her worst pain scores dropped from 10 to just 2, and her average daily pain decreased from 8 to 1. Beyond pain relief, her quality of life improved significantly, as measured by standardized health questionnaires that showed increases from very poor to excellent ratings. These improvements were maintained over a 24-month follow-up period, suggesting lasting benefits. This case suggests that electroacupuncture may offer hope for women with chronic pelvic pain who haven't responded to other treatments, potentially providing both significant pain relief and improved quality of life with sustained results. If you're considering electroacupuncture for chronic pelvic pain, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in treating women's health conditions.

This case report documents a 28-year-old female with refractory CPP following medical abortion and physical exertion who failed multiple conventional interventions including leuprolide acetate, pregabalin, and superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis. Initial pain presentation was NRS 6-7, which escalated to 10 post-neurolysis. Traditional acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine provided minimal benefit. Following 40 sessions of electroacupuncture treatment, clinically significant improvements were observed: worst pain NRS decreased from 10 to 2, average pain NRS reduced from 8 to 1. Quality of life measures showed substantial improvement with EQ-5D-5L index increasing from 0.331 to 0.942 and EQ-VAS rising from 20 to 80. Benefits were sustained at 24-month follow-up. This case suggests EA may serve as an effective salvage therapy for medically refractory CPP, demonstrating both substantial pain reduction and durable functional improvement. EA warrants consideration as an adjunctive or alternative intervention when conventional treatments prove inadequate.