A recent study stated that acupuncture did a lot of good to breast cancer patients. It helped reduce hot flashes and researchers also believe that sex drive of a woman was also benefited by acupuncture. Improving her sense of well-being overall.

The study, which will be published in this week's Journal of Oncology, said comparatively acupuncture proved more effective than the traditional drug therapy.

"Acupuncture offers patients a safe, effective and durable treatment option for hot flashes, something that affects the majority of breast cancer survivors. Compared to drug therapy, acupuncture actually has benefits, as opposed to more side effects," said lead author Eleanor Walker.

With no major side effects being associated with acupuncture it should however be avoided by pregnant women.

During a study for 12 weeks about 50 breast cancer patients were randomly given acupuncture or drug therapy. Patients were monitored for almost a year after the treatment period ended.

Almost a 50 per cent reduction in hot flashes and depression was experienced by patients, which indicates that acupuncture was as effective as the drugs. Hot flashes however increased after the treatment stopped among patients who were put under medication but remained minimal in the acupuncture group.