Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Ovarian reserve is an estimated number of eggs in each ovary in a given cycle. As women age, ovarian reserve depletes over time, but that timeline is not linear. Fertility specialists and OBGYNs tend to judge a woman’s fertility based on two main factors: age (quality) and egg reserve (quantity). That said, quality is much more important than quantity. Many women of advanced maternal age have a strong ovarian reserve with quality eggs, while many younger women may have fewer eggs that are still of great quality.
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is primarily assessed based on several factors: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), and Antral Follicle Count (AFC). FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the growth of eggs within the ovaries. As ovarian reserve declines, FSH levels rise to stimulate follicle growth, but FSH also naturally increases in every woman during the first phase of the cycle leading up to ovulation. In younger women, who often have a larger reserve of eggs, small amounts of FSH are sufficient to stimulate egg growth. However, that’s not always the case, as some women may not have full ovarian function in both ovaries. AMH provides an estimate of egg count in a given cycle, but that number fluctuates each cycle. Overall, AFC is considered the best measure of egg count but must be assessed early in the cycle via transvaginal ultrasound.
For patients with poor ovarian reserve, the aim of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to improve blood flow to the ovaries, thereby increasing their receptivity to stimulation by the pituitary gland. This, in turn, may lower FSH and increase AMH and AFC. As the ovaries age, their available blood flow decreases due to the narrowing of the capillaries that supply them. Most importantly, TCM can help improve both ovarian quality and quantity for anyone trying to conceive—whether through IUI, IVF, or naturally.
According to the research of Dr. Magarelli, “the use of acupuncture in patients with poor prognoses (elevated peak FSH, longer history of infertility, low ovarian reserve, and poor sperm morphology) can achieve similar pregnancy rates to normal [non-IVF] prognosis patients.”
If you have been diagnosed with DOR, premature ovarian failure (POF), or low AMH, or if you’ve had to cancel an IVF cycle due to poor response to stimulation, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may offer a safe, natural, and effective solution to help you conceive.
Call to schedule a consultation with one of our reproductive specialists—we’d love to help!