This prospective case series study (Zhou et al, 2013) investigated the effects of acupuncture on serum FSH, E2, and LH levels and changes in menstruation in 11 female patients with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Researchers used a commonly associated definition of POI as having reported amenorrhea for four or more months and elevated FSH levels measured at least twice. Patients stopped all medications that could influence reproductive hormones for one month before treatment. Electroacupuncture treatment was given daily, five times a week for four weeks and then once every other day, three times a week for two months. Reported symptoms and serum samples were collected at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at a three-month follow-up after treatment. Significant changes to E2, FSH, and LH were recognized after treatment when compared to baseline values and the effects were maintained at the time of follow-up. After treatment, all but one patient regained menstrual flow and two patients reported amenorrhea at follow-up. The study demonstrated that acupuncture could decrease FSH and LH levels, increase E2 levels, and help regain menstruation in women with POI with little to no side effects, however, the value of the study is limited as it had a small sample size and did not control for confounding factors. Also, symptoms of POI were subjectively reported and documented by researchers leading to possible bias in data documentation. Researchers suggest that further randomized control trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of results and investigate the mechanism of action of the associated outcomes.
Reference
Zhou K., Jiang J., Wu J., Liu Z. (2013). Electroacupuncture Modulates Reproductive Hormone Levels in Patients with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Results from a Prospective Observational Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 657234. http://doi.org/10.1155/2013/657234