Acupuncture is commonly used for a range of hormonal issues and related fertility problems.  Premature ovarian failure is a failure of the ovaries to produce normal amounts of estrogen or release eggs regularly and fertility issues are a common result.  In a recent study, researchers from Tianjin University and the Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing conducted a pilot study to investigate the effects of acupuncture on premature ovarian failure.

Researchers recruited 31 women into the study and they were all given acupuncture every other day, three times per week for 3 months.  The following acupuncure points were used:

• GB 13
• GV 24
• GV 20
• UB 23
• UB 32
• ST 25
• CV 4
• CV 3
• ST 28
• ST 29
• ST 36
• SP 6
• KD 3
• LV 3

Researchers used serum levels of FSH, E2 and LH levels as well as the self-rating anxiety scale (sas) and a kupperman score for baseline and for end of treatment measurements.

At the end of the 3 months of treatment researchers found that patients serum FSH and LH were decreased, their E2 was increased and their SAS and kupperman scores were decreased.  Of the 31 women, 6 resumed normal menstrual cycles.  Researchers concluded that "acupuncture may decrease serums FSH and LH levels, raise serum E2 levels, relieve anxiety, reduce mental stress and improve ovarian function".