Effects of wet cupping in a rat model of primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is characterized by discomfort with no organic etiology (no pelvic disease), recurring pain, or lower abdominal cramps that start between the first 8-72 h of menstruation. Cupping therapy uses a tool to form a vacuum at certain points on the skin.

We investigated the mechanism of pain relief caused by cupping therapy in primary dysmenorrhea that is played by cupping therapy in PD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the cupping method on pain symptoms, changes in PGF2α, PGE, and β-endorphin levels, and uterine morphology in PD.

A total of 35 female rats were divided into five groups (n = 7 rats per group): control, PD, dysmenorrhea treated with dry cupping (DC), dysmenorrhea treated with wet cupping (WC), and dysmenorrhea treated with ibuprofen (IB) as a standard drug. Pain was assessed by measuring the degree of writhing pain. Serum PGF2α, PGE, and β-endorphin levels were evaluated using ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to examine uterine morphology, such as thickness, vacuolization, and inflammation.

WC had a pain normalization effect comparable to that of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is superior to both types of cupping in reducing the PGF2α/PGE ratio and the PGF2α to β-endorphins ratio. WC and DC have capabilities comparable to those of ibuprofen in improving uterine vacuolization and inflammation.

These results indicate that WC is more effective than DC in suppressing dysmenorrhea symptoms, modulating the hormone level ratio, and repairing uterine pathology. The potential benefits of cupping provide an opportunity for further studies in human subjects.