Acupuncture for IVF and IUI Support

Can acupuncture increase my chances of falling pregnant from an IVF or IUI procedure?

TLC Acupuncture Clinics has many practitioners with a special interest and advanced training in the field of fertility treatments including IVF and IUI support. There is evidence that acupuncture when used in conjunction with an IVF or IUI procedure may increase the chances of falling pregnant (1,2,5,7).   In saying that, this increase chance of falling pregnant only applies to cases where pregnancy was possible.  If the embryo quality is poor and the embryo fails to develop at the correct rate, pregnancy will not be possible even with acupuncture.

We work with many fertility specialists in Brisbane, please bring your list of medications along to your appointment.

How does acupuncture help?

Acupuncture helps to regulate the female reproductive system in several ways.  Research suggests acupuncture affects the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain which stimulate the secretion of Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (3).  This hormone controls various aspects of female reproductive functions such as ovulation, menstruation, and fertility.

Secondly, acupuncture has been shown to improve blood flow to the uterus (4), by inhibiting uterine central sympathetic nerve activity.  This helps to regulate hormone levels, increases the health of the uterine wall and increases the quality and thickness of the endometrial lining.

And thirdly, fertility treatments such as IVF and IUI can be intense and stressful, and these stress hormones can have a negative effect on the outcome, reducing the chances of becoming pregnant.  Acupuncture helps to stimulate endorphins which inhibit the central nervous systems response to stress thereby lowering the level of stress hormones in the blood.  Research shows that acupuncture reduces both stress and anxiety (5).

Acupuncture may also have positive effects on male reproductive health (6).

When should I start having acupuncture?

Each case is different from one person to the next but if you are investigating the possibility of IVF or IUI, we suggest you also make an appointment with us to discuss what your tailored acupuncture plan may involve.

Which practitioner should I see?

TLC Acupuncture Clinic has a range of practitioners with a special interest in fertility and pregnancy care.   To review the practitioners of your nearest clinic click here.

On the day of transfer, we recommend two treatments (7), one treatment pre-transfer and one post-transfer.  This can be done with two appointments one 60 minutes appointment before and one 30 minutes appointment after.

For our standard rates on services see our consultation and treatment rates.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

If you have copies of any blood tests, medical reports of tests, previous procedures or imaging please bring these with you to your first appointment.

Clinical research trials for acupuncture as a co-treatment with an IVF procedure

1. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysisby E Manheimer, G Zhang L Udoff, A Haramati, P Langenberg, B Berman, L Bouter conducted in 2008.

The study concluded, “Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilization.”

2. Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial.  Pinar Gursoy Guven, Yasemin Cayir, Bunyamin Borekci

5. In vitro fertilization and acupuncture clinical efficacy an mechanistic basis . Belinda J. Anderson, PhD, LAc; Florina Haimovici, MD; Elizabeth S. Ginsburg, MD; Danny J. Schust, MD; Peter M. Wayne, PhD.

7. Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial.  Lars G Westergaard MD PH D, Qunhui Mao MD, Marianne Krogslund, Steen Sandrini, Suzan Lenz MD, Ph D, Jorgen Grinsted MD, Ph D.

References

3. Acupuncture and women’s health: an overview of the role of acupuncture and its clinical management in women’s reproductive health.  Suzanne Cochrane,Caroline A Smith, Alphia Possamai-Inesedy,and Alan Bensoussan

4. Exploring the effects of Chinese medicine in improving uterine endometrial blood flow for increasing the successful rate of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer]Jia Guo , Li-na Wang, Dong Li

6. Acupuncture treatment of male infertility: a systematic review. Yuan He, Chu-tao Chen, Li-huan Qian, Chun-ling Xia, Jing Li, Shen-qing Li, Bu-ping Liu

Disclaimer – Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary from patient to patient based upon the circumstances of the patient’s specific situation.  A result is not promised and/or guaranteed  from the act of receiving a treatment.