A general description for Chinese medicine in treating premature ovarian failure

Abstract

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a kind of gynecological disease that causes amenorrhea, infertility, menopause and urogenital symptoms. Currently hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most popular choice for women with POF to get rid of menopausal syndrome. However, as the popularization of Chinese herbs made Chinese medicine (CM) shine new lights, physicians are able to treat POF with both meno-herbs and integrated therapy. HRT has its own indications and contraindications. For example, unexplained vaginal bleeding, acute liver damage, liver dysfunction, vascular embolization, and breast cancer are all contraindications of HRT, and CM is taken by more physicians as an adjuvant therapy. This review, including a range of common Chinese herbs and formulations according to the existing literature, provides a general description of CM treating POF from the aspects of mechanisms and clinical application. It also highlights acupuncture as a unique physiotherapy for POF. Although the validity of CM has been supported by the evidence of many preclinical trials, clinical trials and meta-analysis, the adverse events with CM therapy still exist and no guarantee has been made for its safety. This review concludes the updated information for CM treating POF contributing to further studies.

Human Menstrual Blood-Derived Stromal Cells Promote Recovery of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Via Regulating the ECM-Dependent FAK/AKT Signaling

“…Genetic [ 7 , 8 ], immunological [ 9 ], and environmental factors [ 10 , 11 ] have significant impact on POI development. In clinical applications, some interventions such as hormonal replacement therapy (using 17-β estradiol and dydrogesterone) [ 12 , 13 ] and traditional Chinese medicine [ 14 ] are intended to relieve endocrine disturbance or restore ovarian function; however, the effectiveness of these measures is limited. Recently, the therapeutic potential of stem cells in POI treatment has gained extensive attention due to their multipotent differentiation ability and diverse sources such as chorionic plate, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, bone marrow, skin and even menstrual blood [ 15 – 19 ].…”

Management of Early Menopause Using Traditional Persian Medicine: A Case Report

“…Conversely, in traditional Persian medicine, the etiology of amenorrhea is divided into uterus etiology including the obstruction or blockage in the uterus due to dystemperament or inflammations, and the like, as well as common etiologies such as occasional dystemperament in the body or any disease in other organs which may disrupt mensuration (15,20,21). Several studies were found to use traditional and herbal methods to treat early menopause (2,(22)(23)(24) The patient of the current study reported having cold and dry dystemperament (suolmizaj) based on traditional medicine rules, which caused complaints about vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, obsessions thoughts, parasomnia, nightmare, the darkness of skin color, and dryness and itching of the skin. Digestive disorders of the patient were due to cold and dry dystemperament in the stomach leading to dyspepsia through which the elements fail to be properly absorbed and therefore are unable to reach the other parts properly.…”

“…However, the magnitude of such a decline varies in various countries (1). Early menopause and abnormal early infertility can affect self-efficacy and self-esteem (2). Premature ovarian failure (POF) is the disruption of the activity of ovaries before the age of forty.…”

Postmenopausal pregnancy: A case report

“…For example, unexplained vaginal bleeding, a history of endometrial or ovarian neoplasm, acute liver injury, vascular embolization, breast cancer, poorly controlled diabetes, or hypertension are all contraindications of the treatment after menopause. [ 6 ] Therefore, prior to administration, risk assessment of HRT such as the presence of complications or existing medical conditions should be performed. [ 7 ]…”