CompletedNot Applicable

Acupuncture for Sexual Dysfunction

United States15 participantsStarted 2013-01

Plain-language summary

Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) affects up to 43% of women in the United States and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is the most common form. There is no standardized treatment for this condition. We know that alternative therapies such as acupuncture have been beneficial to women suffering from urinary incontinence, chronic lower back pain, and migraines. We hypothesize that the quality of life for premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) will improve with initiation of acupuncture therapy for a duration of 5-weeks. Validated questionnaires are administered at the time of enrollment and 1 week after the final acupuncture session as the method of analyzing our primary outcome.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 55 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

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

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)

Timeframe: 6 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02070029

SponsorTriHealth Inc.

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2014-06

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) trials