A Case of Treating Infertility Due To Low Ovarian Reserve With Acupuncture

© Claire Alatan-Lung OMD, LAc 2020

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Patient Mrs R. age 37, came to my clinic on March 9, 2017 for the treatment of infertility. She was diagnosed with infertility due to low ovarian reserve with an elevated FSH of 14.5 mIU/mL. She had received and failed two Intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures within the last three months. 

During intake, Mrs. R told me that her mother died of breast cancer in 2010, after which she developed yeast infection and amenorrhea that lasted for a few months. In 2014, after her sister attempted suicide, she experienced an emotional breakdown and developed acid reflux, frequent sore throat, TMJ, sinus congestion and dry mouth. During the same year, she became pregnant after an IUI procedure. In 2015, she underwent surgery to remove a breast tumor. Later that year, she gave birth to a son through a C-section as a result of 36-hour unsuccessful labor induction. 

Her health history also included long term depression, low energy, poor memory and low immunity. Her menstruation has been regular after amenorrhea ceased in 2010. 

During the Chinese medicine assessment, her pulses were slow with irregular beats. Liver position had a wiry quality and kidney positions felt thin and weak. Her tongue was pale with redder sides and tip. There were 2 noticable bumps in the back of her tongue. Her epigastric and right hypochondriac regions felt tense during palpation. My diagnosis was Kidney Qi deficiency, Jing deficiency and liver qi stagnation. 

Twenty acupuncture treatments were performed aimed at supplementing her kidney Qi and essence, smoothing the liver Qi, and relaxing the body and mind. The needles used were 0.20×30 mm, Spring type (DBC, Korea) on body points, and 0.16×15 mm, D-type (Red Seirin, Japan) needles on the ears and scalp. At the first treatment, points ST36 and LV3 were used bilaterally, followed by auricular points of Shen men, sympathetic, liver and spleen, and DU20.  At the second treatment, ST39, KI3 and KI7 were used bilaterally with electrical stimulation, followed by Si Shen Cong and ear shen men and sympathetic to relax the body and mind. 

On August 23, 2017, she informed me with excitement that she was pregnant! Three subsequent treatments were performed to continue to nourish the kidney, smooth the liver, and relax the uterus to prevent miscarriage. Points used included si shen cong, DU20, ear shen men, sympathetic, liver, kidney and spleen. Infrared heat was applied to her feet to warm and stimulate LV1 and SP1 in order to prevent miscarriage. 

The patient felt great after each treatment and her pregnancy has been progressing well. She is 5 months pregnant now and feeling happy!

References: 

Liang L, (2003). Acupuncture and IVF. Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press.