Abstract: Objective： To systematically review the effectiveness of associated simple acupuncture therapy in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea（PD）. Methods：Databases such as PubMed，Web of Science（SCI），CBM，CNKI，VIP and WANFANG DATA were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials（RCTs）（up to December 2012），and the relevant references of the included articles were also manually searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria，literature was screened，data were extracted and methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Then Meta analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.2 software. Results：A total of 20 RCTs involving 2 134 participants were included. Results of Meta analyses showed that：①total efficiency of associated simple acupuncture therapy was better than that of control method，with statistically significant differences [RR=1.19，95%CI（1.14，1.24），P＜0.000] and [RR=1.15，95%CI（1.10，1.21），P=0.03]. ②Associated simple acupuncture therapy was better than control method in releasing degree of serious symptoms of PD，with statistically significant differences [MD=3.20，95%CI（2.36，3.04），P＜0.000] and [MD=2.09，95%CI（0.16，4.02），P=0.03]. ③ There was no statistical difference in reducing level of the peripheral blood prostaglandin F2α between the two groups [MD=0.13，95%CI（-0.13，0.39），P=0.32]. Conclusions：Associated simple acupuncture therapy can significantly relieve pain in patients with PD and overall efficiency. Due to limitations on the quantity and quality of included studies，this conclusion has yet to be carried out in large， multicenter study to verify.

Key words: TCM therapy, Dysmenorrhea, Meta-analysis, Randomized controlled trail