Acupuncture improves diminished ovarian reserve

Eligible patients with diminished ovarian reserve received electric acupuncture for 12 weeks: five times a week for 4 weeks followed by three times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in mean follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level at week 12. Mean luteinising hormone (LH) and serum oestradiol (E2) levels, FSH/LH ratios and symptom scale scores were simultaneously observed.

Twenty-one patients with diminished ovarian reserve were included in the final analysis.

Mean FSH levels fell from 19.33±9.47 mIU/mL at baseline to 10.58 ± 6.34 mIU/mL at week 12 and 11.25±6.68 mIU/mL at week 24. Change in mean FSH from baseline was -8.75±11.13 mIU/mL at week 12 (p=0.002) and -8.08±9.56 mIU/mL at week 24 (p=0.001). Mean E2 and LH levels, FSH/LH ratios and irritability scores were improved at weeks 12 and/or 24.

Approximately 30% of patients reported subjective increases in menstrual volume after treatment. Electric acupuncture may modulate reproductive hormone levels and the effects seem to persist for at least 12 weeks after treatment with no significant side effects.

Electric acupuncture may improve the ovarian reserve of patients with diminished ovarian reserve.

Reference

Wang Y, et al. (2016) Electroacupuncture for reproductive hormone levels in patients with diminished ovarian reserve: a prospective observational study. Acupunct Med; 0:1–6. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-011014.