Acupuncture for Sexual Dysfunction

Each woman will receive experimental therapy with acupuncture twice a week for five weeks and complete a packet of validated questionnaires/surveys at the 1st visit in person and at week 6 by mail.

The acupuncture sessions include:

• An Initial Evaluation in which the certified acupuncturist will take a
• History including: chief complaint, diet, level of diaphoresis, water intake, digestive function, menstrual cycling, sleep habits, overall mood
• Physical Exam: inspection of tongue and palpation of pulse
• 25 minutes of resting quietly with acupuncture needles in place
• Needle usage: from8 to 20 needles are typically used, with an average of 14 per session
• Needles are typically placed on the scalp, lower abdomen, elbows and knees

Subsequent Sessions (9 more) with the certified acupuncturist

• 25 minute each, twice weekly, for 5 weeks = total 10 sessions
• Needle usage = 8-20, average 14 per session
• Typically placed on the scalp, lower abdomen, elbows and knees

The questionnaires/surveys include questions about:

• Sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain
• General physical health
• General emotional and psychological health
• Social relationships

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 18-55 years
• Sexually Active
• Premenopausal
• Documented diagnosis of HSDD as primary cause of FSD (defined as a non adjusted score of ≤ 6 in the desire domain of the FSFI questionnaire)

Exclusion criteria

• Postmenopausal, defined as absence of menstruation in the prior 12 months
• Pain or dyspareunia as the primary cause of FSD (defined as a non adjusted score of ≤ 6 in the pain domain of the FSFI)
• History of hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy
• History of chemotherapy, or pelvic irradiation
• Use of hormonal contraception or oral hormone replacement therapy
• Active skin infection or disease
• Blood dyscrasia
• Allergy to acupuncture needles