Ovarian Reserve and Remaining Egg Supply

A woman’s ovarian reserve reflects her remain fertility potential. Although there are many tests to evaluate the ovarian reserve they not perfect, and can often only give an estimate. 

Women are often told the quantity of remaining follicles often correlates to the quality of remaining follicles. Some of the common methods to evaluate egg quantity and quality are age, FSH, antral follicle count, and AMH levels. 

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs aim to address the quantity and quantity of follicles recruited, evidence is showing that we can enhance the quality of these maturing follicle over time. 

There is growing evidence that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can influence the quality of the eggs remaining in the ovaries. 

Acupuncture can benefit ovarian reserve by normalizing hormone levels, improving ovarian response to gonadatropins, increasing blood flow to the ovaries, improving oocyte maturation, and helping to remove the build-up of environmental toxins in the body. 

Many factors can influence ovarian reserve quality such as diet, exercise, acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, emotions, and the environment. 



A follicle spends most of its maturation process independent of hormonal regulation. Follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) stimulation rescues a small group of follicles propelling them to the preantral stage. 

Out of this growing pool of follicles one is recruited during the first few days of the menstrual cycle. The cells surrounding the follicle have the ability to synthesize all 3 classes of steroids; however, significantly more estrogens than either androgens or progestins are produced.

FSH stimulates the proliferation of these cells as well the production of estrogen. Receptors specific to the FSH are not detected on these cells until the preantral state. The early appearance of estrogen within a follicle allows the follicle to respond to relatively low concentrations of FSH.

Optimizing and Restoring Ovarian Reserve includes:

  • Decreasing degeneration and re-absorption of an ovarian follicle before it reaches maturity
  • Optimizing the ovarian function with the hypothalamus and pituitary
  • Reversing the characteristics of ovarian aging
  • Replenishing and restoring the follicle supply

Interested In Learning How Acupuncture Can Improve Your Ovarian Reserve & Increase Your Chances of Conception?

Contact US TODAY, and schedule a time to talk with the acupuncturist.

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