title: Electroacupuncture for reproductive hormone levels in patients with diminished ovarian reserve: a prospective observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Effective methods for the treatment of reproductive dysfunction are limited. Previous studies have reported that acupuncture can modulate female hormone levels, improve menstrual disorders, alleviate depression and improve pregnancy rates. However, studies of acupuncture for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To carry out a prospective observational study aimed at assessing the effect of EA on the reproductive hormone levels of patients with DOR seeking fertility support and consider its safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible patients with DOR received EA 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one patients with DOR 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% patients reported subjective increases in menstrual volume after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EA may modulate reproductive hormone levels and the effects seem to persist for at least 12 weeks after treatment with no significant side effects. EA may improve the ovarian reserve of patients with DOR, though further research is needed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT02229604; Results.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ruixue
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jinna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhishun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D065851:Ovarian Reserve; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE; GYNAECOLOGY