Acupuncture versus oral medicine for women with diminished ovarian reserve: A cohort study

Abstract Objective to observe whether electro-acupuncture (EA) is better in improving hormone levels among women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) compared with oral medicine [Chinese herbs with or without hormone replacement therapy (HRT)] that is often used in gynecology clinics in China. Methods eligible participants entered the EA group or medication group according to their preferences. Participants in the EA group received EA treatment, and participants the medication group received herbal decoction alone or combined with HRT. Reproductive hormone levels of the participants were tested before and during treatment in both groups. Results a total of 80 women with DOR were screened and 57 cases were included (29 in the EA group and 28 in the medication group) in the final analysis. The differences in the change from baseline between the EA and medication group in mean follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were -6.6 (95% CI, -17.03 to 3.72), (P = 0.848) and -7.09 (95% CI, -15.86 to 1.66), (P = 0.539) at weeks 12 and 24, respectively. The proportion of women with regular FSH levels in the EA and medication group was 51.3% vs 32.1% at week 12 (P = 0.134) and 51.3% vs 25.0% at week 24 (P = 0.038). Conclusion EA might influence regulating the levels of FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen and the FSH/LH ratio, and no difference was found between the effects of EA and oral medicine in changes of reproductive hormone levels.