Treatment Options of Acupuncture and Related Techniques and Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy in Gynecology

Objective: To reach a consensus in the use of acupuncture and related techniques as well as traditional Chinese herbal therapy for gynecological disorders. Methods: Five specialists of gynecology as well as five general practitioners with a background in acupuncture for gynecology were asked to evaluate acupuncture and related techniques as well as traditonal Chinese herbal therapy for a given number of indications. The classificiation system was trifold: useful, less useful and not useful. Further questions referred to specific diagnostic and therapeutic modes as well as studies in this field. Results: Four gynecologists and two general practitioners returned the questionnaire. Their answers were for the most part similar. Differences were observed only in seven out of 30 disorders, whether treatment was classified as useful or less useful. For some disorders, expert opinion was backed by a list of high quality studies. However, only three experts referred their work to certain studies, the other half indicated their experience. Discussion: Differences may be due to variations in the therapeutic methods applied. Other reasons could be relative experience with gynecological disorders and or differences in specialized training. Conclusion: This study produced a rather homogenous consensus about the effectiveness of acupuncture and related techniques as well as traditional Chinese herbal therapy in gynecology, based on expert interrogation (EBM-level IV). Expert opinion is supported by studies (in part EBM-level I).