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Acupuncture IVF
One in six couples experience infertility, and over the last 25 years, assisted reproductive technology (ART) services have been more commonly used. One of the most common ART’s is in vitro fertilization (IVF). This consists of harvesting the woman’s eggs and fertilizing them outside of the body. The embryo that results from the fertilisation is introduced into the mother’s uterus to develop as a normal pregnancy. IVF may be advised in cases of fallopian tube blockages, low male sperm count, cervical mucous problems, immunological factors, infertility after tubal surgery, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility. A study published in the British Medical Journal in February 2008 revealed that when combined with IVF, 'acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65%".
Acupuncture can help prepare both partners before IVF in order to improve the function of the ovaries, strengthen and regulate the immune system, reduce stress, and improve the quality of the seminal fluid. This is accomplished in the female partner by treating any menstrual irregularities, such as amenorrhea, PMS, endometriosis, dysmenorrhoea usually 3-4 months before IVF treatment commences.
Once the woman's menstrual cycle and period are normal according to the guidelines of acupuncture theory, acupuncture can then be used during the IVF procedure itself. This typically begins during the month prior to IVF, when the woman has been prescribed oral contraceptives in order to give the ovaries a rest. Step by step acupuncture protocols are then used at every phase of the IVF procedure.
From the acupuncturist’s perspective, the main meridians involved in maintaining healthy female reproductive organs include the Kidney, Spleen, Liver and Heart. The Kidney provides life essence and therefore controls the functioning of the ovaries, the Spleen meridian provides rich blood and nourishment to the reproductive organs, liver provides a harmonious free flow of blood to the organs especially the fallopian tubes and the heart meridian provides nourishment and calmness within the uterus.The acupuncturists objective is therefore to ensure that these main meridians (and any others) are adequately nourished and functioning correctly through appropriate acupuncture, diet and lifestyle advice.
See: Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 Aug;16(3):154-7. Epub 2009 Dec 24. The relationship between perceived stress, acupuncture, and pregnancy rates among IVF patients: a pilot study. Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec;92(6):1870-9. Epub 2008 Dec 31. Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment. SYSTEMTC REVIEW Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 May-Jun;13(3):38-48. In vitro fertilization and acupuncture: clinical efficacy and mechanistic basis.
Female infertility: Case hisory
RESEARCH
Balk J, Catov J, Horn B, Gecsi K, Wakim A. The acupuncture regimen was associated with less stress both before and after embryo transfer, and it possibly improved pregnancy rates. Lower perceived stress at the time of embryo transfer may play a role in an improved pregnancy rate.
Magarelli PC, Cridennda DK, Cohen M.The study concluded that acupuncture appears to achieve beneficial regulation of these hormones during the medication phase of the IVF process, and a trend towards more normal fertile cycle characteristics.
BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):545-9. Epub 2008 Feb 7.
Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, Haramati A, Langenberg P, Berman BM, Bouter LM.Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation.
Anderson BJ, Haimovici F, Ginsburg ES, Schust DJ, Wayne PM.The study revealsed supportive evidence from clinical trials and case series suggestsing that acupuncture may improve the success rate of IVF and the quality of life of patients undergoing IVF and that it is a safe adjunct therapy.
They concluded that more high-quality randomized, controlled trials incorporating placebo acupuncture controls, authentic acupuncture interventions, and a range of outcome measures representative of both clinical outcomes and putative mechanistic processes are required to better assess the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunct for IVF.