Objective To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on perimenopausal syndrome (PMS). Methods Multicentral randomized controlled trials and single blind test were adopted in the present study. A total of 157 PMS patients were randomly divided into EA group (n=81) and medication group (n=76) . EA (2/100 Hz

8-10 mA) was applied to bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6)

3 times a week and for 3 months (mon). Patients of medication group were treated by oral administration of nylestriol

2 mg/time

twice a mon for 3 mon. For PMS patients

medroxyprogesterone (6 mg/d

for 10 days) was added from the third mon on after the treatment. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by using "symptoms-signs score scale"

and changes of serum estradiol (E2)

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteotrophic hormone (LH) were detected by chemiluminescence immune assay. Kupperman index was determined before and after the treatment. Results In comparison with pre-treatment

Kupperman index of EA group decreased significantly (P<0.01). After the treatment

contents of serum FSH and LH of EA group decreased significantly (P<0.01)

while serum E2 contents of EA and medication groups increased significantly (P<0.01). Serum LH and E2 levels of EA group were significantly lower than those of medication group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between two groups in Kupperman index

markedly-effective rates and total effective rates (P>0.05). Conclusion EA of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) is able to regulate serum E2

FSH and LH levels and effectively improve per-imenopausal syndrome.