In-vitro Fertilization
How acupuncture can help
How often do I need to come in for treatment if I am preparing for an in-vitro procedure?
If you are coming in for in-vitro preparation, one study recommends treatment twice a week for four weeks up to the day of the transfer, in order to increase the flow of blood to the uterus. However, another study showed that patients who do more than that those 8 treatments achieve even better IVF results. Another study showed that for patients who received acupuncture treatment immediately before and after the in-vitro procedure, clinical pregnancies were documented in 42.5% of the patients in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate was only 26.3% in the control group. According to recent research by Dr Lee Hullender-Rubin, of 1,069 women who did IVF, she observed those who received an average of 12 acupuncture treatments in addition to the acupuncture treatments on the day of embryo transfer were significantly more likely to get pregnant and deliver a baby than those who did the IVF process without any additional acupuncture, 61.3% vs 48.1%, respectively. Acupuncture pre-treatment was also superior to acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer alone, 61.3% vs 50.8%, respectively. This could mean that we have been looking at the wrong dose of acupuncture in the research all along. In this case, more may be better.The ideal treatment plan is to start acupuncture well before you begin your IVF cycle. If time is available, 12 visits spanning two to three months before embryo transfer yields the best results. For some women, it may be more. How do acupuncture & herbs work throughout the IVF cycle? In the 3 months prior to cycle, fertility acupuncture can be used for both women and men: in women it improves egg quality and regulates hormones; in men it improves semen quality and quantity. During IVF, acupuncture can increase the number of follicles and improve the quality of the uterine environment by relaxing uterine muscles and thickening uterine lining. Once you become pregnant, acupuncture can help prevent miscarriages and minimize symptoms common in the first trimester. |
"After a year of unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant, my doctor wanted to refer us to a fertility specialist. I wanted to try a more natural approach and had read wonderful things about acupuncture.
Acupuncture gave me more energy and just made me feel better overall, and after three months of treatment Rachel made our dream of getting pregnant come true. I can't thank her enough for her knowledge, support, understanding and encouragement. Because of my wonderful experience with her, acupuncture has become an important part of my life." – AM |
In Western medical terms, how does fertility acupuncture help with IVF?
Acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus and therefore uterine lining thickness, an important factor for fertility. It also increases endorphin production, which, in turn, promotes the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to regulate reproduction. Acupuncture can also lower stress hormones responsible for infertility; normalize plasma levels of the fertility hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteininzing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone; and normalize the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, a key process in fertility. In addition, acupuncture combats polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Source: "Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility." By Dr. Raymond Chang, Dr. Pak Chung, and Dr. Zev Rosenwaks. Fertility and Sterility. 2002 Dec;78(6):1149-53.
Acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus and therefore uterine lining thickness, an important factor for fertility. It also increases endorphin production, which, in turn, promotes the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to regulate reproduction. Acupuncture can also lower stress hormones responsible for infertility; normalize plasma levels of the fertility hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteininzing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone; and normalize the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, a key process in fertility. In addition, acupuncture combats polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Source: "Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility." By Dr. Raymond Chang, Dr. Pak Chung, and Dr. Zev Rosenwaks. Fertility and Sterility. 2002 Dec;78(6):1149-53.
Can acupuncture help women with other health conditions?
Yes, Chinese medicine is very successful in treating many gynecological disorders that accompany and contribute to infertility:
Yes, Chinese medicine is very successful in treating many gynecological disorders that accompany and contribute to infertility:
- irregular menstruation
- amenorrhea
- endometriosis
- PCOS
- unexplained infertility