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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction
Published on: March 25, 2021
Acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy in a patient with diminished ovarian reserve and recurrent IVF failure: a case
Zhihao Diao1, Danyang Guo2, Yiyang Sun1
1Department of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Background:
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), characterized by reduced oocyte quantity and quality, presents clinically with menstrual disorders and hormonal disturbances, severely impacting fertility. The pathogenesis of DOR remains unclear and no treatment consensus currently exists. Acupuncture, a cost-effective and acceptable traditional Chinese medicine therapy, has gained widespread application in reproductive medicine. Emerging evidence indicates that acupuncture can improve ovarian function and enhance fertility potential in women with DOR.
Case Description:
This article reports a case of a 38-year-old patient with DOR and recurrent in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure who achieved pregnancy following three months of acupuncture treatment, which was associated with improvements in sex hormonal levels, antral follicle count (AFC), and modified Kupperman Index (mKMI) score.
Conclusion:
This case report suggests that acupuncture as an adjunctive intervention may help improve ovarian function in patients with DOR and a history of recurrent failed IVF attempts, thereby providing evidence to support acupuncture as a potential treatment strategy for DOR-related infertility.
