Objective To evaluate the curative effect of electroacupuncture(EA)of Zigong(EX-CA 1)and Tianshu(ST 25)and acupuncture of Sanyinjiao(SP 6)and Guanyuan(CV 4)for perimenopausal syndrome(PMS).Methods Fiftyeight PMS patients were equally and randomized into acupuncture group and medication group.EA(10Hz/50 Hz

30min in duration)was applied at Zigong(EX-CA 1)and Tianshu(ST 25)in combination with manual acupuncture stimulation of Sanyinjiao(SP 6)and Guanyuan(CV 4)by twirling the acupuncture needles with small amplitude and till deqi.The treatment was conducted once every other day

three times a week

8weeks altogether.The patients of the medication group were asked to take estradiol valerate(1mg/time

qd)for 3weeks

then

to have one week's rest and continuously took estradiol valerate(1mg/d)and medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate(8mg/d)for 10 days.The therapeutic effects were assessed by Menopause Rating Scale Questionnaire[MRS

composing of 3areas:somatic(4items)

psychological(4items)and urogenital(3items)domain].Serum estradiol(E2)

follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteotrophic hormone(LH)contents were assayed using ELISA.ResultsAfter the treatment

the scores of the MRS and the contents of serum FSH and LH were significantly decreased in both the acupuncture and medication groups(P<0.01)

and serum E2 contents significantly increased in the two groups(P<0.01).No significant differences were found between the two groups in the total effective rates(P>0.05).Eight weeks' follow-up showed that the MRS score of the acupuncture group was significantly lower than that of the medication group(P<0.05).Of the two 29 PMS patients in the medication and acupuncture groups

3(10.3%)and 2(6.9%)cases were under control

22(75.9%)and 21(72.4%)experienced a marked improvement in their symptoms

3(10.3%)and 4(13.8%)were effective

1(3.4%)and 2(6.9%)invalid

with the effective rates being 96.6% and 93.1%

respectively.Eight weeks' follow-up showed that the longterm effect of the acupuncture therapy was obviously superior to that of the medication(P<0.05)according to MRS score.Conclusion Acupuncture therapy is effective in relieving clinical symptoms of PMS women by regulating endocrine hormones

being similar to medication.