Acupuncture for female sexual dysfunction: a case report.

Abstract

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) refers to the inability of women to meet their own expectations with respect to their sex lives, resulting in a lack of satisfaction. Typical symptoms include low libido or difficulty with arousal, orgasmic disorders, or painful intercourse. A meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of FSD in premenopausal women is approximately 40.9%, and the prevalence of individual sexual dysfunction is 20.6%–28.2%.1 The most effective treatment method is hormone therapy,2 but this might have detrimental side effects. Although FSD is not life-threatening, it can have a huge negative impact on quality of life. Patients with FSD have a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression than unaffected individuals.3 Accordingly, alternative treatment options with fewer potential side-effects are desirable. Acupuncture, which has minimal side-effects, is widely used in diseases of the genitourinary system. However, there is currently limited evidence to support acupuncture in the treatment of FSD. Here, we describe a case in which a patient with FSD seemed to be successfully treated by acupuncture.