Objective To study modern acupoint application rules for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.Methods By means of analyzing the literature from Jan 1994 to July 2009

search the literatures on acupuncture for the treatment of primary dysmenorrheal in CNKI

record the number of articles of acupuncture and moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea

and the using frequency of all points to find out the commonly used points

less used points

and their distribution.Results There were 122 articles recording the acupuncture treatment for the primary dysmenorrhea with 72 points involved.The commonly used 24 points were Sanyinjiao （SP 6）

Guanyuan （CV 4）

Zusanli （ST 36）

Qihai （CV 6）

Zhongji （CV 3）

Diji （SP 8）

Taichong （LR 3）

Ciliao （BL 32）

Shenshu （BL 23）

Xuehai （SP 10）

Shuidao （ST 28）

Ganshu （BL 18）

Hegu （LI 4）

Pishu （BL 20）

Mingmen （GV 4）

Guilai （ST 29）

Yinlingquan （SP 9）

Taixi （KI 3）

Zhaohai （KI 6）

Neiguan （PC 6）

Shiqizhui （EX-B8）

Zigong （EX-CA1）

Yanglingquan （GB 34）

and Zhongwan （CV 12）

while the less used 26 were Tianshu （ST 25）

Geshu （BL 17）

and Zhiyin （BL 67）

etc.

with a basic rule of selecting points in the lumbasacral region and lower abdomen

i.e.the local points and distal points.Conclusion The recommended points for the primary dysmenorrhea are Guanyuan （CV 4）

Ciliao （BL 32）

Shiqizhui （EX-B8）

Diji （SP 8）

Sanyinjiao （SP 6）

and Taichong （LR 3）.With a variety of points for selection

the rules for making the point prescription need to be studied further.