Is premature ovarian failure treated with traditional Chinese medicine?

Treatment of premature ovarian failure with traditional Chinese medicine may have a certain effect, but the efficacy varies from person to person. Premature ovarian failure may be related to genetic factors, immune abnormalities, iatrogenic injury and other factors, and usually manifests as symptoms such as menstrual disorders, hot flashes and night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment needs to be carried out under the guidance of professional Chinese medicine practitioners. Commonly used programs include syndrome differentiation and treatment such as tonifying the kidney and replenishing essence, soothing the liver and relieving depression.

1. Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that premature ovarian failure is mostly related to kidney essence deficiency and liver qi stagnation. Kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicines such as Rehmannia glutinosa and Cuscuta can regulate the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis and improve follicular reserve. Liver-soothing traditional Chinese medicines such as Bupleurum and Cyperus can alleviate hormone disorders caused by emotional factors. Commonly used clinical Chinese patent medicines include Kuntai Capsules, Dingkun Dan, etc., and the medication regimen needs to be adjusted according to the menstrual cycle.

2. Commonly used Chinese patent medicines

Kuntai capsule contains ingredients such as Rehmannia glutinosa and Coptis chinensis. It is suitable for patients with kidney yin deficiency and can improve the symptoms of hot flashes and insomnia. Dingkun Dan uses ginseng and velvet antler as its main ingredients, and is aimed at those with kidney-yang deficiency who experience chills and fatigue. Wuji Baifeng Pills can harmonize the Chong and Ren meridians and is effective in treating low menstrual flow. Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E soft capsules are used as auxiliary medicines to protect ovarian function as antioxidants. Gengnianan Tablets can alleviate the anxiety and depression associated with perimenopausal syndrome.

3. Combined treatment plan

Traditional Chinese medicine is often used in conjunction with hormone replacement therapy. For example, estradiol valerate tablets combined with kidney-nourishing traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the dosage of hormones. Selecting acupuncture points such as Guanyuan and Sanyinjiao can enhance the curative effect. For severe patients whose anti-Mullerian hormone is less than 1.1ng/ml, it is recommended to combine reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization. Six items of sex hormones and ultrasound follicle count need to be monitored regularly during treatment.

4. Efficacy evaluation criteria

Effective treatment should reduce follicle-stimulating hormone to below 25IU/L and restore spontaneous menstrual cycles. The number of antral follicles increases in markedly effective cases, but the efficacy is limited in patients with irreversible damage to ovarian reserve function. The course of treatment usually takes 3-6 months, and those with higher recurrence rates after discontinuation of treatment require long-term maintenance treatment.

5. Things to note

Avoid using herbs containing nephrotoxic ingredients such as tripterygium wilfordii. If abnormal liver function occurs during medication, the medication should be discontinued immediately. Patients preparing for pregnancy should inform their doctors to adjust their medication for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Those with autoimmune diseases should also control the primary disease. It is recommended to ensure 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day and to supplement phytoestrogens such as soy isoflavones in appropriate amounts.

Patients with premature ovarian failure need to establish long-term management awareness and undergo monthly follow-up visits to adjust prescriptions during traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Maintain a regular schedule, control your body mass index between 18.5 and 23.9, and avoid smoking, drinking and other behaviors that damage ovarian function. For those who have fertility needs, it is recommended to develop a personalized plan at the Reproductive Medicine Center, and traditional Chinese medicine can be used as an auxiliary method to coordinate with modern medical treatment.