Can acupuncture help with short luteal phase?

Short luteal phase with infertility and miscarriage? Acupuncture can help

The menstrual cycle has two phases: the follicular phase, where ovarian follicles mature, and the luteal phase, starting with egg release. Research indicates normal luteal phases last around 13.4 days, while defects shorten it to 11.8 days, affecting fertility. A short luteal phase can hinder uterine lining development, impacting pregnancy.

Luteal phase defect affects about 10% of infertile women and over 60% with miscarriages, causing short cycles, spotting, and low progesterone. Causes include poor follicle production, premature corpus luteum failure, and uterine lining response issues. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes it to qi deficiencies, affecting blood flow and corpus luteum function.

Acupuncture has shown promise in improving blood flow to the ovaries and corpus luteum, regulating cycles, and restoring normal luteal phases. Studies report increased pregnancy rates and improved hormone levels after acupuncture treatment. In China, acupuncture achieved success rates up to 93.4% in recurrent miscarriage cases, suggesting its effectiveness in promoting pregnancy and reducing miscarriage risk.