Objective To observe the effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in the treatment of patients with primary dysmenorrhea(PD)of cold-damp stagnation type.Methods A total of 209 PD patients were randomized into moxibustion group(n=105)and control group(medication group

n=104).Patients of the former group were treated with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque(CV 8)and Guanyuan(CV 4)

once daily for 3 days in the first menstrual cycle

and 3 days before menstruation and once daily for 6 days in the 2nd and 3rd menstrual cycles

and those of control group were asked to take Yueyueshu Granules(a Chinese herbal patent drug for relieving PD).Clinical symptom scores were assessed before and after the treatment.Results After the treatment

of the 105 and 104 cases in the moxibustion and control groups

the cured

markedly effective

effective and failed cases were 58(55.24%)and 32(30.77%)

37(35.24%)and 33(31.73%)

5(4.76%)and 24(23.08%)

and 5(4.76%)and 15(14.42%)

respectively.The total therapeutic effect of moxibustion group was significantly better than that of control group(P<0.01).The effects of moxibustion for relieving mild

moderate and severe dysmenorrhea were evidently superior to those of medication(P<0.01).The symptom scores after the treatment and 3 months of post-treatment in moxibustion group were significantly lower than those of control group(P<0.01).Conclusion Ginger-partitioned moxibustion therapy was effective for PD of cold-damp stagnation type.