When couples who are having trouble getting pregnant have their hormone levels checked, many of them get this news: The woman’s levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone, called FSH, are too high.

Elevated FSH levels may lead to infertility. Luckily, high FSH levels may respond well to Acupuncture as well as other ancient Chinese medicines.

Your pituitary gland produces two hormones related to how your ovaries work. Your ovaries house and release the ova (eggs) that will later unite with a sperm to create an embryo. The pituitary gland tells your ovaries when and how to do this at exactly the right time by releasing FSH and another hormone, called Luteinizing Hormone. 

FSH is thought to have the job of making sure the most mature egg is chosen to be released. A surge in FSH levels after the release of the egg triggers the next menstrual cycle. But when FSH levels  and the levels of other pituitary hormones are not in perfect balance, the timing may be out of sync, which can make it very difficult to become pregnant.  

What causes high FSH levels?

While other physical problems can cause infertility—even in women with normal FSH levels—elevated FSH levels a common culprit. Because all the body’s hormones work best when they work together in balance, FSH levels may be high due to a low level of estradiol production from the ovaries. Estradiol signals the brain when there are adequate FSH levels present, and without enough estradiol, the pituitary gland may continue to secrete FSH until there is an overabundance of the hormone.

Lifestyle factors also may contribute to high FSH levels. Stress can raise FSH levels, and inadequate blood flow from the heart to the ovaries—due to poor circulation or obstruction—can also be a factor.

What are high FSH levels?

The FSH level scale may help you understand how close your hormone production is to being normal.  In some women, the FSH level can change from cycle to cycle, though not significantly. FSH levels arfe measured in milligrams of FSH per deciliter of blood. A good score for an FSH level test would be less than 9. If your FSH level is between 10 and 17, it might be more difficult to conceive a child. An FSH level over 17 makes it highly unlikely that conception will occur. If your FSH level is over 30, then it is likely that your body has begun menopause and that your menstrual cycles have stopped or will stop soon.

Symptoms of high FSH levels

Can you tell whether your FSH levels are high, even without a blood test? Some women can. Symptoms of high FSH levels are similar to those of menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, moodiness, irritability, and sadness. Women with high FSH levels may also experience headaches and decreased libido. In some cases, menstrual cycles become infrequent and irregular when FSH levels are high.  When a woman under age 40 experiences these symptoms, hormone imbalance may be suspected rather than menopause.

Chinese medicine approach to high FSH levels

Chinese Medicine takes a different approach to fertility. The traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner does not measure FSH levels or determine whether or not a woman is too old to have children, but considers reproductive health a natural part of a woman’s life. The aim of Chinese Medicine would be to make a woman healthy enough for reproduction.

Chinese medicine modalities and FSH levels

Acupuncture may help blood flow reach the ovaries, increasing the ovarian reserve of healthy eggs. Acupuncture does this by helping to dissolve blockages in the body’s Qi, which is life energy. Women need a good flow of life energy to produce new life.

Another method some alternative medicine practitioners may use to treat infertility is massage. massage is a good way to make organs happy and healthy. Organ massage may also increase blood flow. Massaging the pelvic cavity may promote regulation in the menstrual cycle and increase production of eggs, while balancing the FSH levels.

Besides improving the flow of blood, Chinese Herbal Medicine may strive to improve the quality of blood by prescribing herbs to improve the strength of the eggs and embryos as well as the mother’s endocrine system. By strengthening these systems, herbs may naturally rebalance FSH levels as well as fortifying organs involved in reproductive health like the spleen, kidney, and liver.

Source: AltMeds.com editorial staff writer Rieve Chievrue