Further discussion on the maintenance of ovarian function

  Menstrual disorders, infertility and premature ovarian failure have become the fastest growing clinical diseases in gynecology, and their underlying causes are all related to the ovaries.  The main functions of the ovaries include the production and discharge of mature eggs, the synthesis and secretion of sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, androgens and various growth factors, and the maintenance of normal function of various organs and systems such as the skeletal, immune, reproductive and neurological systems.  In total, women ovulate about 400-500 times during their lifetime.  The ovaries change differently at different ages in women. The number of follicles peaks at about 7 million at 20 weeks of fetal life and then gradually atresizes and degenerates to about 4-5 million follicles by the time of birth, with most follicles continuing to degenerate during childhood, leaving only about 300,000-500,000 follicles by puberty. During a woman’s lifetime, only 400-500 follicles typically develop and are expelled.  The ovaries cannot be regenerated after ovulation and excessive ovulation promotion can lead to premature ovarian failure.  Due to the increased incidence of infertility in modern women, some women choose ovulation promotion to treat infertility, and some women take ovulation promotion drugs without permission to improve their chances of pregnancy, but if excessive, it can be very damaging to the ovaries. Once the eggs are depleted, the ovarian function will decline irreversibly. The ovulation function of the ovaries and the endocrine function must be synchronized in order to conceive. Excessive use of ovulation-promoting drugs without simultaneous regulation of the endocrine function will still result in a very low conception rate, but will waste the ovarian egg resources.  In general, ovulation in natural cycles should be controlled for 3-6 months. Repeated mass egg retrieval for IVF is also undesirable and may lead to early ovarian decline.  The Chinese medicine believes that the essence of reproduction is in the kidneys, and the first thing to do to protect ovarian function is to take care of the kidney energy. In modern society, many bad lifestyles damage the kidney qi: loss of regularity in life, premature cohabitation, too many abortions too early, casual use of emergency contraceptives and unhealthy diet, etc.