Table 2 Eligibility criteria
From: Use acupuncture to relieve perimenopausal syndrome: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|
• 40 to 55 years old | • Non-natural menopause (due to surgery, radiation, medication) |
• Perimenopausal female (menstrual irregularity in past 12 months; or menstrual period off at least twice in past 12 months; or amenorrhea of 2 to 12 months) | • Use of HRT, SSRIs, vitamin E, or black cohosh in past 4 weeks |
• Suffering any following perimenopausal symptoms: vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, sweats), psychological symptoms (insomnia, migraine, irritability), or genitourinary symptoms (vaginal dryness, dyspareunia) | • Any contraindication of HRT (for example, family history of breast cancer, hysteromyoma, benign galactophore diseases, or ovarian cyst) |
• Serum FSH level >10 units/L, or decline of estradiol after amenorrhea | • Unknown causes of vaginal hemorrhage |
• Willing to receive treatment and sign consents | • Poorly controlled hypertension, diabetes mellitus |
|  | • History of malignant cancer, mental disorders (including depression), thyroid diseases, diabetic neuropathy |
|  | • Dermatosis (for example, eczema, psoriasis) |
|  | • Serious heart, liver or kidney diseases |
|  | • Coagulation defeats or use of anticoagulant medicine (for example, warfarin, heparin, and so forth) |
|  | • Use of sedative or anti-anxiety drugs |
|  | • Cigarette smoking, alcohol or drug abuse |
|  | • Pacemaker or artificial joints |
|  | • Pregnant women or women in lactation |
|  | • Participation in other clinical trials |