INTRODUCTION: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaints of who referred to the gynecologist. It seems that the effect of acupuncture on dysmenorrhea and also attention to complementary medicine approaches is an effective method to reduce dysmenorrhea pain. This study was performed with aim to compare the effects of acupuncture and Mefenamic acid on pain intensity and absent from work in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: This clinical randomized trial was performed on 140 patients aged < 25 years with primary dysmenorrhea who referred to gynecologic clinic or acupuncture medicine clinic of Imam Reza hospital in 2013. The patients were divided into two groups of 70 cases. One group received acupuncture and the other group received mefenamic acid for three menstrual periods. Data analysis was performed by statistical software SPSS (version 16) and Friedman, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: At the end of three menstrual periods, pain intensity significantly decreased as 74% in acupuncture medicine group and 52.7% in mefenamic acid group. Also, absence from work significantly decreased as 42% in acupuncture medicine group and 27% in mefenamic acid group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture medicine reduces dysmenorrhea and absence from work and is introduced as an effective non-pharmacologic method.

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