A woman with premature ovarian failure induced by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. gives birth to a healthy child.

OBJECTIVE

To inform clinicians about the reproductive damage of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. (TW) associated with subsequent premature ovarian failure.

METHODS

Case report.

METHODS

Reproductive medicine center in a university-affiliated hospital.

METHODS

A 36-year-old infertile woman presenting amenorrhea and elevated FSH levels (65.56 mIU/mL) after using TW.

METHODS

Estradiol valerate, two month course of oral contraceptives, GnRH agonist, stimulation cycle with urine FSH, triggered ovulation using 5000 IU of hCG and IVF-ET.

METHODS

Serum hormone levels, antral follicle count (AFC), oocyte retrieval number, embryo quality and birth.

RESULTS

Serum hormone levels and AFC of the POF woman were restored, and she gave birth to a healthy child after IVF-ET. Through IVF-ET she was found to have had oocyte and granulosa cell damage because of TW.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a real-life manifestation of reproductive damage of TW. The medicamentous amenorrhea, hormone levels and AFC decline induced by TW are reversible, but oocyte and granulosa cell damage may be irreversible. This will help clinicians to avoid using TW for nulligravida.