Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).MethodsA literature search was conducted in eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials.ResultsSeventeen randomized controlled trials involving 1174 patients were included. Meta-analysis indicated that TCM was superior to Western medicine (WM) in reducing basal serum FSH level [MD = −1.70, 95% CI (−2.63, −0.77); P = 0.0004] and FSH/LH (MD = −0.43, 95% CI [−0.56, −0.30]; P = 0.0001), and the effect was more obvious two months after the last treatment (MD = −4.60, 95% CI [−6.26, −2.90], P < 0.000 01 and MD = −0.56, 95% CI [−0.85, −0.28], P = 0.0001), and increasing antral follicle count (AFC) (MD = 0.44, 95% CI [0.04−0.83]; P = 0.03). The review also revealed the positive role of CMM as an adjuvant to IVF-ET in improving pregnancy rate (PR = 1.75, 95% CI [1.25, 2.46]; P = 0.001).ConclusionTCM, with its unique way of replenishing the kidney, may provide an effective and safe alternative therapy to patients with DOR.