OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of warming needling pretreatment for endometrial receptivity before frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).

METHODSFifty-six repeatedly embryo transfer (ET) failure patients with ultrasound showing follicular phase endometrium of C type, hysteroscopy examination presenting endometritis were randomly assigned into an observation group (25 cases) and a control group (31 cases). The patients in the observation group three months before ET were treated with antibiotics in the menstrual period, warming needle (once a day) at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Liangu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39) after menstruation until the ovulation stopped, and oral administration of progesterone was applied after ovulation. The patients in the control group three months before ET were treated with antibiotics in the menstrual period, and oral administration of progesterone was applied after ovulation. Continuous three menstrual periods were carried out for the both groups. The changes of endometrial thickness, type and endometrial blood flow and the outcome of FET were observed.

RESULTSEndometrial morphology and blood flow were improved after treatment in the two groups (all<0.01), with better results in the observation group (both<0.01). The embryo transplantation rate and pregnancy rate in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (both<0.01), and the early abortion rate decreased (<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWarm needling may improve endometrial receptivity, embryo transplantation rate and pregnancy rate and decrease early abortion rate by regulating endometrial morphology and blood flow.