Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of live bee stings at fertility points and acupuncture in treating symptoms and managing infertility in premature ovarian failure (POF) of autoimmune etiology.
Patients and methods: Patients with primary POF were allocated randomly into two groups: group I: subjected to acupuncture at specific fertility points and group II: subjected to live bee stings at sites of fertility points.
Results: A total of 24 cases show significant reduction of Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level to normal range with gradual decline over the study duration: 13 cases in group I and 11 cases in group II. Eight cases got pregnant while the other 13 cases regained normal menses but still infertile.
Conclusions: Both bee sting therapy and acupuncture were effective in reduction of FSH levels with restoration of regular menstrual patterns and restoration of fertility. The bee sting therapy was superior in the pregnancy rate, while acupuncture was superior in alleviation of symptoms.
Keywords: acupuncture; bee sting; premature ovarian failure; therapy.