Acupuncture and IVF
What is IVF?
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 9.3 million American women are currently using assisted reproductive technology (ART) services to help them cope with fertility issues. Of available ART services, one of the most widely used is in vitro fertilization or IVF. This consists of harvesting a woman’s eggs and fertilizing them outside her body. The embryo that results from this fertilization is introduced into the woman’s uterus to develop as a normal pregnancy.
When is IVF used?
IVF is used in cases of fallopian tube blockage, low sperm count, abnormal cervical factors, immunologic factors affecting either partner, infertility after tubal surgery, infertility after treatment for endometriosis, and for unexplained fertility. This procedure was first successfully used in the United States in 1981.
How does Chinese Medicine help to improve IVF success rates?
Acupuncture and threatened miscarriage
After successful implantation of the embryo has taken place, Chinese medicine can also be used to help prevent miscarriage. In general, Chinese medicine is extremely effective for preventing miscarriage when threatened miscarriage is due to hormonal imbalances, such as low progesterone. For this purpose, it may be used either as a preventative measure when the woman is asymptomatic or even after symptoms of threatened miscarriage have appeared.
When to use Chinese Medicine with IVF
The best time to begin treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine is three months prior to beginning IVF. In some cases, it may take up to six months if there are underlying conditions such as amenorrhea, endometriosis, uterine myomas (fibroids), PCOS, menorraghia (heavy menstrual bleeding), and history of irregular cycles This preparatory stage optimizes the health of both the woman and the man to increase fertility. If you have already started IVF or will be starting soon, Chinese medicine can still help promote greater fertility.
Healing modalities used during IVF
The primary modalities used before and/or during an IVF cycle are acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Chinese nutritional therapy, massage therapy, moxibustion, electrical stimulation, warm compresses, and aromatherapy.
Chinese herbs and IVF
Chinese herbs play an important role in enhancing fertility and treating underlying causes of infertility. They have been used for more than 2,000 years in China to treat conditions related to infertility. They are very safe to take and have virtually no side effects. Although Chinese herbs can be used in conjunction with IVF, they are generally not used during an IVF cycle due to the doctor’s request. They can, however, be used in the months prior to starting an IVF cycle .
Clinical Study using acupuncture and IVF
A widely published recent German study found that using acupuncture with IVF achieved a 42% clinical pregnancy rate compared to only 26% in the control group that did not receive acupuncture. When acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are used in conjunction with IVF, clinical experience suggests the pregnancy rate can be raised to at least 60%.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 9.3 million American women are currently using assisted reproductive technology (ART) services to help them cope with fertility issues. Of available ART services, one of the most widely used is in vitro fertilization or IVF. This consists of harvesting a woman’s eggs and fertilizing them outside her body. The embryo that results from this fertilization is introduced into the woman’s uterus to develop as a normal pregnancy.
When is IVF used?
IVF is used in cases of fallopian tube blockage, low sperm count, abnormal cervical factors, immunologic factors affecting either partner, infertility after tubal surgery, infertility after treatment for endometriosis, and for unexplained fertility. This procedure was first successfully used in the United States in 1981.
How does Chinese Medicine help to improve IVF success rates?
- It improves the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs.
- It regulates the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles.
- It increases the blood flow to the uterus and increases the thickness of the uterine lining.
- It relaxes the patient and decreases her stress.
- It helps prevent uterine contractions.
- It lessens the side effects of the Western drugs used in IVF.
- It strengthens and regulates the patient’s immune system.
- It improves male semen to create better quality and quantity of sperm.
- It decreases the chance of miscarriage.
Acupuncture and threatened miscarriage
After successful implantation of the embryo has taken place, Chinese medicine can also be used to help prevent miscarriage. In general, Chinese medicine is extremely effective for preventing miscarriage when threatened miscarriage is due to hormonal imbalances, such as low progesterone. For this purpose, it may be used either as a preventative measure when the woman is asymptomatic or even after symptoms of threatened miscarriage have appeared.
When to use Chinese Medicine with IVF
The best time to begin treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine is three months prior to beginning IVF. In some cases, it may take up to six months if there are underlying conditions such as amenorrhea, endometriosis, uterine myomas (fibroids), PCOS, menorraghia (heavy menstrual bleeding), and history of irregular cycles This preparatory stage optimizes the health of both the woman and the man to increase fertility. If you have already started IVF or will be starting soon, Chinese medicine can still help promote greater fertility.
Healing modalities used during IVF
The primary modalities used before and/or during an IVF cycle are acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Chinese nutritional therapy, massage therapy, moxibustion, electrical stimulation, warm compresses, and aromatherapy.
Chinese herbs and IVF
Chinese herbs play an important role in enhancing fertility and treating underlying causes of infertility. They have been used for more than 2,000 years in China to treat conditions related to infertility. They are very safe to take and have virtually no side effects. Although Chinese herbs can be used in conjunction with IVF, they are generally not used during an IVF cycle due to the doctor’s request. They can, however, be used in the months prior to starting an IVF cycle .
Clinical Study using acupuncture and IVF
A widely published recent German study found that using acupuncture with IVF achieved a 42% clinical pregnancy rate compared to only 26% in the control group that did not receive acupuncture. When acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are used in conjunction with IVF, clinical experience suggests the pregnancy rate can be raised to at least 60%.
Research articles related to acupuncture and IVF
- Acupuncture in IVF linked to lower miscarriage and ectopic rates
- Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization: Does the number of treatments impact reproductive outcomes?
- Acupuncture and good prognosis IVF patients: Synergy
- Acupuncture and IVF poor responders: A cure?
- Improvement of IVF outcomes by acupuncture: Are egg and embryo qualities involved?
- Acupuncture: Impact on pregnancy outcomes in IVF patients