Premature ovarian failure (POF) is described as the decline or loss of normal function of the ovaries before the age of 40. If the ovaries fail to function, they don't produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen, which can lead to infertility and other problems. Premature ovarian failure affects about 1 percent of U.S. women.

The most common sign of premature ovarian failure is irregular or skipped periods (amenorrhea). Some women with premature ovarian failure experience erratic periods for years, while others first notice skipped periods after a pregnancy or after discontinuing birth control pills.

Premature ovarian failure is sometimes referred to as premature menopause, but the two conditions are not exactly the same: Women with premature menopause stop having periods, while women with premature ovarian failure may have sporadic periods for years — and may even become pregnant.

One of the best indictors of premature ovarian failure is poor ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation. Gonadotropin drugs are commonly used in fertility clinics to stimulate the ovaries and encourage super ovulation. Common gonadotropin stimulating drugs include: Gonal F, Follistim, Repronex, and Menopur.

Traditional Chinese Medicine can offer hope for women who do not stimulate well during an IVF cycle or have had to cancel an IVF cycle due to poor stimulation. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been shown to be effective at treating the symptoms associated with POF such as elevated FSH, night sweats, vaginal dryness and insomnia, deficient uterine lining.

When these symptoms are improved, the overall fertility of the patient with POF is also improved resulting from higher estrogen production. As estrogen levels increase, the menstrual cycle will become more regular and ovulation may resume. After completing a course of treatment with acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, many patients who have a history of cancelled IVF cycle do to poor response or failure to stimulate experience improved ovarian response and may be able to complete an IVF cycle for the first time.

If you suffer with symptoms of premature ovarian failure, or have been diagnosed with POF, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine may offer a natural, safe, and effective solution. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our reproductive specialists to find out if acupuncture can make a difference for you.