Effect of Acupressure on Menstrual Pain and Associated Symptoms

Abstract

Menstrual pain, particularly primary dysmenorrhea, is a common problem among women of reproductive age and may be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, headache, dizziness, mood changes, and limitations in daily activities. Although analgesic medication is commonly used, interest has increased in non-pharmacological and complementary approaches. Acupressure is a non-invasive technique involving manual stimulation of selected points and has been investigated for menstrual pain and related symptoms. This paper reviews the effect of acupressure on menstrual pain and associated symptoms, focusing on proposed mechanisms, commonly used approaches, evidence from randomized trials and systematic reviews, effects on symptom severity and quality of life, safety, and research limitations. Recent evidence, including a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials, indicates that acupressure may reduce menstrual pain compared with placebo acupressure, oral medication, and usual treatment, although the authors rated the overall evidence as low quality. Earlier systematic reviews also reported potential improvements in pain and some menstrual symptoms, while emphasizing methodological limitations. Acupressure may therefore be considered a complementary option within broader dysmenorrhea management, but it should not replace appropriate clinical assessment or established treatment when symptoms are severe or persistent.