Review of Current Chinese and Western Medical Treatment Modalities for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

Abstract

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an increasingly prevalent reproductive endocrine disorder characterized by fluctuating decline of ovarian function during its course. The pathogenesis and treatment of POI involve multiple factors, mechanisms, and signaling pathways. In recent years, Western medical treatment has witnessed numerous emerging modalities, including stem cell therapy, extracellular vesicle therapy, human growth hormone therapy, and melatonin. These novel therapeutic approaches not only retain the advantages of conventional treatments but also activate follicular development to effectively restore ovarian function; some modalities even enhance embryo quality and achieve pregnancy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers diverse therapeutic modalities that regulate disrupted sex hormone levels, alleviate hypoestrogenic symptoms, and simultaneously address patients’ reproductive needs. Treatment modalities are flexible and convenient, encompassing oral administration, external application, and combined internal-external therapies, demonstrating significant clinical efficacy with the added benefits of being non-invasive and relatively cost-effective compared to certain Western medical treatments. Integrated Chinese and Western medicine therapy enhances the therapeutic effects of both medical systems, rapidly ameliorating the long-term impact of elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, as well as reduced estradiol (E₂) levels, on female patients. This review elaborates on six aspects: pathogenesis of POI, Western medical therapies, TCM internal treatment modalities, TCM external treatment modalities, combined TCM internal-external therapies, and integrated Chinese-Western medicine therapy, aiming to provide clinicians with diverse perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of POI.