A common treatment for painful menses (dysmenorrheal) in China is Vitamin K via injections in acupuncture points. This treatment has been used safely and effectively since the 1980's and is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
A study published in the Medscape Journal in March documented the effects of Vitamin K injection for treating painful menses. The study was conducted in China and Italy at 3 total sites. 40 women enrolled to receive 1 cc Vitamin K injections in both legs at the acupuncture point known as "San Jao," or Spleen 6.
The women had severe dysmenorrheal that would limit their daily activities, increase time spent in bed, and cause increased use of analgesic pain relievers such as NSAIDS. The women reported on the first or second day of menstruation with pain and received the injection at Spleen 6.
Vitamin K injection resulted in decreased pain severity after only 30 minutes. A decrease in pain was noticed as soon as 2 minutes in a majority of the women. Other variables that improved include decreases in hours spent in bed, less of an effect on daily activities, decreased consumption of NSAIDS and other pain relievers, and decreased severity and duration of pain. The results were statistically significant over 4 menstrual cycles with only one injection. There were no adverse events or side effects observed from treatment.
This represents promise of a safe and effective treatment for a condition that is commonly treated with birth control pills and NSAIDS; two medications that can cause significant side effects when used over the long-term.
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