Acupuncture for People Experiencing Period Loss Due to Chemotherapy

Launched by MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER · Apr 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether acupuncture can help women who have lost their periods due to chemotherapy for cancer. The goal is to see if acupuncture can make it easier for these women to regain their menstrual cycles and improve their overall quality of life. The researchers will track how many women join the study and complete it, as well as how acupuncture affects the return of menstrual cycles and related symptoms.

To join this study, participants need to be English-speaking women under 40 years old who have had certain types of cancer (stages I, II, or III) and have completed chemotherapy within the last year. They should have stopped having periods for at least three months after finishing chemotherapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or a waiting list control (WLC) group. It's important to note that women with advanced cancer (stage IV), recent pregnancies, or certain previous medical procedures may not be eligible. Those who take part can expect to follow specific study procedures and receive acupuncture treatment aimed at helping with their period loss.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • English speaking women under the age of 40, with a history of stage I, II, or III cancer at the age of 18-39
• • Premenopausal status with regular menstruation at the time of diagnosis by patient report
• • Completed chemotherapy within the past year
• • Report cessation of menses during or after chemotherapy and have not experienced menses recovery at the time of enrollment.
• • Have been without menses for at least 3 months following the completion of chemotherapy
• • Willing to adhere to all study-related procedures, including randomization to one of the two possible arms: acupuncture and WLC
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Metastatic cancer (stage IV)
• • Had been pregnant or lactating within 3 months prior to enrollment
• • History of hysterectomy or oophorectomy
• • Ongoing or planned radiation or surgery within 4 months from randomization
• • Use of acupuncture for menses recovery within 3 months of enrollment
• • Had been or will be receiving ovarian suppression medicine, such as leuprolide (Lupron) and goserelin (Zoladex), or hormonal contraception drugs within 3 months of enrollment or during the study period