Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture London Chelsea, North Kensington, Notting Hill, and Richmond

Female infertility is a growing concern on a global scale, and numerous studies have explored the potential benefits of acupuncture in addressing this issue. With advancements in scientific and medical technologies, research focused on acupuncture's effectiveness in treating female infertility has witnessed a surge. The findings thus far have consistently indicated that acupuncture can have a positive impact on the treatment of female infertility. One key aspect of acupuncture's mechanism of action in enhancing female fertility lies in its ability to regulate reproductive hormones. There are five crucial hormones involved in the reproductive process: GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone. Maintaining a delicate balance of these hormones at the appropriate levels is vital for the proper functioning of the reproductive system and successful conception. However, when these hormones become imbalanced and their levels fluctuate, women may experience difficulties in getting pregn...

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition characterized by a decline in ovarian function before the age of 40, which is a significant contributor to female infertility. This condition is marked by elevated levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), along with low levels of estradiol (E2). Common symptoms of POI include menstrual disturbances, as well as menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia. Additionally, POI increases the risk of decreased bone mineral density and cardiovascular disease. The incidence of POI is estimated to be around 1%–5%. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has established guidelines for the diagnosis of POI. According to these guidelines, the diagnostic criteria include age younger than 40, oligo/amenorrhea for at least 4 months, and FSH levels higher than 25 mIU/ml on two occasions separated by at least 4 weeks. While the exact causes of POI remain unclear, they may...

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a substance that is produced in small ovarian follicles measuring less than 4 mm. These follicles are so tiny that they cannot be detected through ultrasound imaging. As the follicles grow, the production of AMH decreases and eventually ceases. In fact, follicles larger than 8 mm produce almost no AMH at all. Consequently, the levels of AMH in the blood remain relatively constant. Researchers have utilized the measurement of AMH in the blood as a means to assess the size of the pool of developing follicles in women. This pool size is greatly influenced by the number of remaining non-growing follicles. Hence, AMH levels are believed to reflect the size of the remaining egg supply, commonly referred to as "ovarian reserve." Due to its consistent levels, the AMH test can be conducted on any day of a woman's menstrual cycle. Women with a limited number of remaining follicles typically exhibit low levels of AMH. As a woman ages, her AMH levels d...