Acupuncture Points for Menstrual Irregularity

12 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Menstrual Irregularity

How often each point appears across the 28 entries ranked highest for Menstrual Irregularity. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel14 of 28
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel12 of 28
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian12 of 28
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian10 of 28
  • CV03Central PivotConception Vessel7 of 28
  • ST25Celestial PivotStomach Meridian7 of 28
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel6 of 28
  • SP10Sea Of BloodSpleen Meridian6 of 28
  • ST36Leg Three MilesStomach Meridian6 of 28
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel5 of 28
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian5 of 28
  • BL23Kidney Shu PointBladder Meridian4 of 28

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (14 points)

100%

LI04 · ST36 · SP06 · HT07 · SI19 · KD03 · KD07 · GB20 · GB34 · GB39 · LV03 · LV05 · CV04 · GV20

Point 1 of 14

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

Study-reported

Needling + Acupressure · 28 sessions over 12 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-198 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, KD07, GB34, LV03, CV04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00591-4 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LI04 · ST29 · ST33 · ST34 · ST36 · SP06 · CV03 · CV12

Point 1 of 8

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1854-2 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, ST36, SP06, CV03, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00591-4 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

ST27 · SP06 · SP10 · PC06 · LV03 · CV06 · CV10

Point 1 of 7

ST27Great Bulge

ST27 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大巨 (dà jù)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV05.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Palpitations, Insomnia, Urinary Retention, Agitation, Fullness

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1854-2 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, LV03, CV06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00591-4 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

ST28 · ST36 · SP06 · SP09 · CV04 · CV06 · GV20

Point 1 of 7

ST28Waterway

ST28 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 水道 (shuǐ dào)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV04.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Constipation, Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Edema, Urinary Retention

Study-reported

Needling + Moxibustion

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.07.003 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, CV04, CV06 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00591-4 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

ST25 · BL32 · BL33 · CV04

Point 1 of 4

ST25Celestial Pivot

ST25 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天樞 (tiān shū)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

⚠️ Cautions: Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency – treatment here is adjunctive at most and must never delay surgical assessment. Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture · a 90-day course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017160 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST25, BL33, CV04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S580821 ↗

Protocol (4 points)

100%

ST29 · SP06 · KD03 · CV04

Point 1 of 4

ST29Return

ST29 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 归来 (guī lái)

🎯 Location: 4 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV03.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Absent Periods, Swelling, Pain, Uterine Prolapse, Infertility

Study-reported

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 24 sessions over 12 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1723419 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, KD03, CV04 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-198 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 10 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling5 of 10
  • Electroacupuncture4 of 10
  • Acupressure2 of 10
  • Moxibustion2 of 10

Sessions: the 4 studies that gave a count ran a median of 26 (middle half 21 to 30).

Course: the 6 studies that gave a length ran a median of 12 weeks (middle half 12 weeks to 12 weeks).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.