Decreasing bleeding due to uterine fibroid with electroacupuncture

Abstract

Objective: To report the usefulness of electroacupuncture (EA) for the management of menorrhagia due to submucous uterine fibroid. Design: Case report. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): A 48-year-old woman with a symptomatic submucous uterine fibroid, who presented with severe menorrhagia. Intervention(s): Electroacupuncture. Main Outcome Measure(s): Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of uterine blood flow and number of pads used during menorrhagia. Result(s): Doppler ultrasound revealed decreased blood flow of the uterine artery with EA stimulation. With repetitive sessions of EA fewer pads were used during menorrhagia. Conclusion(s): We present the first human case in which decreasing uterine artery blood flow with EA improved menorrhagia due to uterine fibroma. Electroacupuncture could be a useful, alternative, and relatively noninvasive tool for the management of fibroids with menorrhagia as a severe complaint. (Fertil Steril (R) 201196: e13-5. (C) 2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)