“By using human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), fairly good 
clinical therapeutic efficacy has been obtained in the treatment of infertility. However, difficulties are brought
about due to the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) easily induced by these two drugs. Therefore,
we attempted to use acupuncture instead of HCG in the induction of ovulation from 1989 to 1992, and
satisfactory therapeutic effect was achieved as reported in the following.
General Data
Ten patients were hospitalized with confirmed diagnosis of infertility and totally observed for 11 menstrual
cycles (one patient had recurrence of OHSS for 2 times). Their ages ranged from 27 to 30 years with an
average of 29 years. After treatment by HMG, all patients manifested OHSS in varying degrees. In
accordance with the criteria for grading of OHSS issued by WHO, among these 11 menstrual cycles 4 cycles
were mild (ovarian slight enlargement less than 5 cm with symptoms of slight malaise of lower abdomen); 7
were moderate (marked enlargement of ovary with nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension); no severe
case occurred (extreme enlargement of ovary with hydrothorax, ascites, pycnemia and electrolyte
disturbance). In order to prevent the exacerbation of OHSS caused by combined use of HMG and HCG,
acupuncture was used after HMG treatment to replace HCG for the ovulation induction in 11 menstrual
cycles of these patients.
…
Results of Treatment
Of the 11 menstrual cycles, marked effect was shown in 5 cycles, effective in 5 cycles and failed in 1 cycle.
Among the 10 markedly effective and effective cycles, ovulation was induced in 2 cases after needling and
diagnosed pregnancy by blood HCG assay and ultrasonography. In 9 of the 10 cycles treated with
acupuncture for ovulation induction without using HCG and other drugs, the symptoms of OHSS were
significantly remitted or even disappeared. Only in one cycle, HCG (with dosage less than for ovulation) was used after needling to maintain the function of corpus luteum and resulted in exacerbation of OHSS and
finally remitted by drug treatment. ”
Source: ABORM.org
Acupuncture remains a safe and effective treatment for ovulation induction. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a personal consultation.
