In this post, we’ll discuss the article published in JAMA “The Effects of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Birth Rates Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization” (1). I know, these comments may include technical jargon, which may be hard to understand for a lay person. This post is mostly for healthcare providers helping them […]
Our patients often ask how acupuncture boosts fertility. One of the ways is by reducing inflammation in the reproductive system. I recently came across this little study showing acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effects for the pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an acute inflammation in your reproductive organs. It is a complication often caused by STIs, like chlamydia or […]
How many acupuncture treatments do you need to improve IVF outcomes? Our own analysis of IVF acupuncture studies has shown that the treatment protocol for IVF patients needs to take into account your specific situation. Furthermore, the results can be significantly improved when we use the comprehensive approach of TCM diagnosis and make use of […]
Unexplained infertility probably is the most heartbreaking diagnosis. Not knowing why you can’t get pregnant is frustrating. The principal treatments for unexplained infertility are recommendations for timed intercourse, lifestyle changes, Clomiphene citrate, intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Recently, Lipoidal flushing showed promising results. What role does acupuncture play in treating unexplained infertility? […]
Stress affects your fertility. We can’t ignore this fact any longer. Furthermore, long-term stress can reduce your IVF success. UK scientists measured cortisol levels in women undergoing IVF. They took samples of hair and saliva. Hair sampling allows analysis of cortisol over the preceding 3–6 months. While saliva sample shows immediate stress levels. Results were eye-opening. Women […]
In this study, researchers investigated how acupuncture influenced ovarian reserve in women who had low ovarian reserve or “very few eggs left”. They used a kind of acupuncture with no needles, where very gentle electric impulses are used to stimulate acupuncture points. This study has shown improved the hormone levels including Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH). AMH […]
Hyperprolactinemia can be a significant obstacle for women trying to get pregnant, and reproductive acupuncture may be one way to address the condition in some women. Previous research has shown that acupuncture influences prolactin levels in women undergoing IVF. We have studies showing acupuncture can reduce prolactin levels (auricular acupuncture using NADA protocol). This study […]
Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion on reproductive endocrine function in male rats with partial androgen deficiency. Ren Y1, Yang X1, Zhang Y2, Wang Y1, Li X1. Author information Abstract OBJECTIVES: Partial androgen deficiency of the aging male (PADAM) is characterised by a deficiency in serum androgen levels. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and mild moxibustion […]
Reprod Biomed Online. 2015 Jun;30(6):602-12. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.02.005. Epub 2015 Feb 24. Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in-vitro fertilization outcomes. Hullender Rubin LE1, Opsahl MS2, Wiemer KE2, Mist SD3, Caughey AB3. Author information 1 Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 75 NW Couch St, Portland, OR, 97210, USA; Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, […]
Can acupuncture help 35+ year old pregnant women reduce pregnancy risks? Women of this age, are a high risk for developing stillbirth and fetal growth restriction among other complications. This study, published in Journal of Physiology, researchers from the University of Manchester, UK concluded that the blood flow to placenta may be the reason for […]
Acupuncture helps to normalise both ovarian volume and AMH in PCOS patients. These changes are beneficial for fertility. Both acupuncture and exercise help to normalise overactive sympathetic nervous system in PCOS patients. Acupuncture, however, is much more effective. Furthermore, as shown by this study, exercise has no effect on AMH nor ovarian volume.
PCOS can improve with acupuncture treatment. More research looks into the mechanism of it. One of the lead researchers in PCOS and acupuncture Dr Elisabet Stener-Victorin from Sweden has long suspected that acupuncture may play a role in regulating blood glucose levels and helping with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is one of the features of PCOS. This […]
Polyps and fibroids will often be surgically removed if they obstruct the chances of embryo implanting. Sometimes surgery is not the desired option. We can use Chinese fertility herbs attempting to shrink the fibroids. This study shows this can be worth a try, especially if the fibroids are small.
This study shows acupuncture in IVF patients decreases the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation. And while it has some limitations, we need to take the results into account while choosing the right acupuncture protocol for each IVF patient. The study was published in Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine. [Effect of electro-acupuncture on clinical […]
IVF Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) patients benefit from Acupuncture. This helps us understand how Acupuncture benefits fertility. Electro stimulation on acupuncture points leading to the IVF transfer improves the quality/receptivity of the uterine lining. A study published in the latest issue of peer-reviewed British Medical Journal (Acupuncture in Medicine) found the rates of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy […]
Impact of stress on female infertility and pregnancy has been well documented. Below study, published in the journal of Fertility and Sterility, shows male reproductive health is similarly affected by it. The researchers are confident the correlation between stress and sperm parameters is clear. Acupuncture has been shown to improve sperm quality, it has also […]
Too much stress is a serious factor affecting your fertility. The study published in the Journal of Human Reproduction found that stress can lead to two-fold increase in infertility among women trying to conceive for one year. Are you trying to conceive and are stressed? Perhaps it’s a good idea to consider acupuncture. It interferes […]
Acupuncture has been shown to increase the uterine blood flow (decrease uterine blood impedance). But does the uterine blood flow really matter when you’re having an IVF? This study provides the answer. The researchers used special ultrasound technique to measure uterine blood flow. They found that it had an immense effect on both pregnancy and […]
Yet another study shows that acupuncture does quite a bit more in the abdominal cavity than just increasing the blood flow to ovaries and uterus. Obviously, the study doesn’t directly link with treatment of infertility, but the promise is there. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2014 Apr;39(2):156-63. [A meta-analysis on effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion for […]
Successful implantation is an absolute prerequisite for a successful pregnancy. The process by which a blastocyst is accepted by endometrium is involved and requires interplay of many systems. The researchers of this study have discovered acupuncture can optimise this subtle uterine environment by modulating cytokines; and therefore it can increase the implantation rate. Abstract: J […]