Establishing key components of naturopathic management of women with diminished ovarian reserve: A Delphi study

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a gynaecological disorder characterized by poor fertility outcomes as a result of fewer oocytes in the ovaries compared to other women of the same age. While a decrease in ovarian reserve is a normal part of ageing, some women experience a decrease beyond what is physiologically expected due to normal age-related decline.

It is widely estimated that DOR affects ten percent of women seeking medically assisted reproduction (MAR) treatment. MAR is the first-line treatment for women with DOR, however the success rate is significantly lower than in women with normal ovarian reserve. Women with DOR undergoing ovarian stimulation have an increased risk of ovarian hypo-response, high rates of cycle cancellation, high use of ovulation stimulants, low number of collected oocytes, low embryo numbers and low clinical pregnancy rates compared to women with normal ovarian reserve. Further, the high cost and inequity of access to MAR treatment have been well reported...