The female reproductive system function is controlled by the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. HPO axis has three organs: the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovary and performs its function by releasing hormones. There are five hormones involved in this axis including the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), FSH, LH, oestrogen and. GnRH is produced in the hypothalamus, FSH and LH are produced in the pituitary gland and oestrogen and progesterone are produced in the ovary. They are interacted with each other as in a feedback loop and work as an entity to maintain reproductive function and fertility. This feedback loop begins with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone being released from the hypothalamus, resulting in the secretion of the gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) from the anterior pituitary, which in turn controls estrogen and progesterone production in the ovaries. At the start of menstrual cycle when oestrogen level is low, FSH is produced. FSH acts at the ovary. In response to FSH, oestrogen production in the ovary is increased and peaked. This sends signal back to the pituitary gland to reduce FSH production and facilitate LH production. At the mid of the cycle, LH production has reached its peak which triggers egg release. After an egg is released from a follicle the remaining part of the follicle wall converted to the corpus luteum. Progesterone production in the corpus luteum begins. Estrogen and progesterone play a central role in female fertility by stimulating growth, differentiation and maturation of follicles containing eggs and preparing the endometrium for implantation and maintaining embryonic development. They also give feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to adjust GnRH, FSH and LH production. Altered levels of hormones and other factors that are involved in maintaining control of the HPO axis can have negative effects on fertility and pregnancy
Acupuncture promotes the release of beta-endorphin in the brain, which regulates gonadatrophin releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, follicle stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland, and oestrogen and progesterone levels from the ovary. Acupuncture also improves blood circulation to the brain and blood supply to the ovaries. As a result, it improves the hormone balance. Acupuncture reduces stress to help the hormone balance.
