Content provided by Resolve.org
Improving Ovarian Function and Egg Quality Through Traditional Chinese Medicine
By Lifang Liang, OMD, PhD, LAc
Published in Resolve for the journey and beyond, Spring 2012
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland. In women, FSH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries. It also contributes to the production of estradiol, which is responsible for thickening the uterine lining.
As a woman ages, the ovaries become less responsive to FSH and do not recruit and mature a dominant follicle. The dominant follicle is responsible for the production of estradiol and progesterone; if no follicle is present or grows abnormally, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease and the uterine lining cannot thicken.
Some experts feel that FSH levels above ten indicate poor ovarian function and levels under three indicate secondary ovarian failure due to a pituitary or hypothalamic problem.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the organs and meridians central to the female reproductive system are the kidney, liver, and spleen. Additionally, qi and blood have important roles in gynecological physiology and pathology.
- Qi is energy that promotes body function.
- Blood is a material substance that provides nourishment to organs and tissues.
- The kidney is analogous to the endocrine system.
- The liver corresponds to the nervous system.
- The spleen represents the digestive system.
Women are treated with a Traditional Chinese Medicine protocol for three months. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are administered to promote blood circulation and nourishment to the ovaries and uterus. Acupuncture points and herbs related to the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians are utilized since they relate to female reproductive physiology and pathology. An acupuncture and herbal prescription is generated to strengthen the kidneys and spleen, and smooth liver qi. This promotes hormone regulation and production, the production of blood to nourish the ovaries and uterus, and stress reduction.
The following cases illustrate that the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach can lower or stabilize FSH levels to regulate menses, improve ovarian function and egg quality, and increase chances of a successful natural pregnancy or allow the patient to utilize assisted reproductive technology.
- A 35 year-old female with dermal cysts of the ovaries sought treatment for infertility. After three surgeries to remove the cysts, half of the right ovary remained. Her FSH level was 31.9. After six months of treatment, she became pregnant naturally and had a healthy baby girl.
- A 36 year-old female with irregular periods and an FSH level of 28.5 sought treatment for premature ovarian failure and infertility. Her medical doctor diagnosed her as premenopausal and gave her a 1-2% chance of conceiving. After 4 months of treatment, she conceived naturally. She has a four year old daughter.
- A 31 year old female with secondary amenorrhea, had no period for 11 months. An ultrasound indicated her ovaries were smaller than average. After four months of treatment, her period returned and her ovaries returned to normal size. Within seven months, she became pregnant naturally. She recently gave birth to a baby girl.
- A 35 year-old female sought treatment after trying to conceive with IVF. Her first cycle was cancelled due to zero follicle production. Due to endometriosis, her right ovary and fallopian tube were removed and the left tube was blocked. Her FSH level was 17. After three months of treatment, her FSH level decreased to 8.1 and she was able to proceed with a second cycle. Her second cycle produced six eggs and resulted in a healthy pregnancy and delivery of a baby girl.
- A 34 year-old female with amenorrhea and an FSH level of 25 sought treatment for infertility. A hysterosalpingogram revealed she had a small uterus. After three months of treatment, her FSH dropped to 5.4 and she began having regular 28 day menstrual cycles. Five months later, a hysterosalpingogram indicated her uterus increased in size and she became pregnant naturally.
Traditional Chinese Medicine may improve ovarian function and quality. Providing the ovaries and uterus with nourishment and increased blood circulation may help increase production of estrogen and progesterone. This promotes the growth of healthy follicles and improves egg quality while thickening the uterine lining to facilitate the implantation of an embryo.
RESOLVE encourages patients to discuss with their physician any alternative treatments they are considering, including diet and supplements.
With 35 years of clinical experience, Dr. Lifang Liang, OMD, PhD, LAc works closely with infertility specialists and OB/GYN physicians to treat infertility and gynecological conditions by integrating Chinese and Western medicine. Currently, she teaches in the Doctoral Program at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr. Liang is the author of two books, Acupuncture & IVF and Contemporary Gynecology: An Integrated Chinese-Western Approach. Dr. Liang has a practice in San Francisco. She can be reached at acupuncture@lifangliang.com.
Resources:
Zhao, Lin Qi. “The Treatment of High FSH Levels in Fertility Patients.” Chinese Medicine Times. 2009.
Lewis, Randine. “The Infertility Cure”, Little, Brown and Company, 2004; 175-6.
Maciocia, Giovanni. “The Foundations of Chinese Medicine”, Churchill Livingstone, 2005, 41-44, 60-61, 501-2, 567-8, 587-8.
Suggested Reading:
Liang, Lifang. “Contemporary Gynecology: An Integrated Chinese-Western Approach”, Blue Poppy Press, 2010.