It’s great to see more and more studies published that show how acupuncture can help improve fertility. The exacting nature of Western medicine research is actually a perfect tool for studying this because it confirms what we in the field of Chinese medicine have known all along. Score one for the woo-woo peeps.
That’s why I was excited to see a recently published study out of China in the International Journal of Women’s Health showing how acupuncture can improve diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). DOR is a condition that effects many people who are coming into our clinic seeking care, however they are trying to conceive.
At the time of birth, the ovaries contain all the eggs they are ever going to have and that supply dwindles with age, oxidative stress, and/or trauma to the body. DOR can be measured in the blood by abnormal rates of anti- Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). In the context of an IVF cycle, we see this born out as a decreased antral follicle count (AFC) on ultrasound, or the number of follicles that are “ready to go” with stimulation medications, and a poor response to those medications. This can lead to a lower number of eggs retrieved, fertilized, and embryos that can be transferred.
But if you’re reading this article, chances are pretty good that you already know all of this, and you want to know how acupuncture helped in this study. So, let’s get down to brass tacks, shall we?
This study took 120 women with DOR and divided them into an acupuncture group, and a sham (or fake) acupuncture group. Both groups received acupuncture three times a week for 12 weeks. AFC, AMH, and FSH and were measured once at the 12-week mark, and once again at 24 weeks. Participants also filled out a self-reported anxiety scale at both intervals.
At both intervals, the acupuncture treatment group showed a significant improvement in AFC, AMH, E2, FSH, as well as decreased anxiety scores. While that doesn’t put eggs back into the ovaries, improvements in these markers can mean a better response to IVF meds and a better chance for a successful pregnancy. This dovetails nicely into our Chinese medicine lens of treating DOR by nourishing the reproductive essence and Yin of the kidneys, as well as blood and fluids while making sure every organ system gets the Qi it needs to function at its best. It also shows how consistent treatment over a period of time can often yield the best results.
More studies over time will help clarify exactly how much treatment is needed for the best outcomes. Acupuncture studies that compare the real deal with sham acupuncture aren’t always the best measurement because sham acupuncture is not without its own effects, which doesn’t create a fully accurate comparison. At the end of the day though, if you are struggling with diminished ovarian reserve, acupuncture can help you achieve your goals in a way that helps support your overall health and spirit. Want to know more? Schedule a free 15-minute consult to learn all about how we can support you.
Molly Kubinski, L.Ac., Dipl. OM, (FABORM)
