OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect difference between warm acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4) combined with ginger moxibustion at points and western medication for premature ovarian failure (POF). METHODS: Fifty patients with POF were randomly assigned into an acupuncture-moxibustion group and a western medication group, 25 cases in each group. Warm acupuncture (30 min a time) at Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4) combined with ginger moxibustion (1.5 h a time) at points were used in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, once a day, 5 times a week. Three courses were given, one month as a course. Climen tablet was prescribed orally from the 5th day of menstruation in the western medication group, one tablet a time, once a day. The medication was given for 3 months, 7 days between the two 21-day medication. Before and after treatment, electrochemiluminescence was used to measure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH); euzymelinked immunosorbent assay was applied to test estradiol (E); transvaginal color doppler sonography and abdomen ultrasound were applied to determine peak systolic velocity (PSV) of ovarian blood flow, resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), ovarian volume and the number of sinus follicles (AFC). The clinical effect was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, FSH and FSH/LH were lower than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), and the value of FSH/LH in the acupuncture-moxibustion group as lower (<0.05). E, PSV and AFC after treatment were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), and PSV, AFC in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were higher (both <0.05). After treatment, RI and PI were lower and ovarian volume increased than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05). The total effective rate in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was 92.0% (23/25), and the total effective rate in the western medication group was 88.0% (22/25), without statistical difference between the two groups (>0.05). CONCLUSION: Warm acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4) combined with ginger moxibustion at points are effective for POF patients, especially in improving FSH/LH, PSV and AFC.