Being told you have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) can feel overwhelming. Many women immediately begin asking the same questions. Will IVF work? Have I left it too late? Is there anything I can do to improve my chances? A newly published systematic review and meta-analysis offers encouraging news. By analysing the results of 11 randomised […]
The morning after a single session at the gym, a teenager wakes up sore but optimistic. They step in front of the mirror. Nothing has changed. The verdict is swift: exercise doesn’t work. It’s a flawed conclusion. Yet this is, in essence, how some acupuncture and IVF trials have been designed: a very small “dose” […]
When it comes to fertility, balance within the body’s hormonal system is one of the essentials. One of the most important factors regulating this system is the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis — the communication pathway between the brain and the ovaries that regulates ovulation, hormone levels, and reproductive health. Ovarian disorders (like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or […]
If you’re trying to conceive for a while, you probably already know how much effort, planning, and hope can go into every cycle. But here’s something you may not have realised: even the best-quality embryos can fail to implant if your womb isn’t fully ready. It’s not just about the quality of your eggs. It’s […]
A recent controlled study sheds valuable insight into how acupuncture and AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels may be connected, especially in women approaching later reproductive years. This research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting acupuncture could help support ovarian reserve, fertility preservation, and reproductive potential. While the study was designed to evaluate the effects […]
Recent research published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics has revealed a significant breakthrough in the treatment of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in IVF embryo transfer procedures. This comprehensive study explores the effectiveness of combining acupuncture with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) for improving endometrial receptivity and overall pregnancy outcomes. The Challenge of Recurrent […]
In the world of fertility, we’ve spent considerable time exploring how acupuncture can enhance reproductive outcomes. New research from China’s Tongji Hospital offers fresh insights into the effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The study conducted by Xu, Zhu, and Zheng (Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2023) is a thorough […]
If you feel anxious when trying to conceive, you’re not alone. Picture yourself on an emotional rollercoaster, gripping the safety bar for dear life as your heart races and your breath turns shallow. This is what countless individuals experience when trying to conceive through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). And eventually you may stop noticing those tense […]
This recent study has found that acupuncture may be effective in improving pregnancy success rates for women undergoing IVF. And the difference is striking. 63.9% of women in the acupuncture group had the positive pregnancy hormone HCG test. While, IVF only group that number was 33.3%. Furthermore, women who had acupuncture had a higher clinical […]
Can fertility acupuncture help with depression? It may sound like a strange idea, but the two may be more connected than you think. Let’s have a closer look. Relax and it will happen, they say. Does your stress contribute to infertility or does the emotional rollercoaster of not being able to conceive lead to stress […]
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 pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is 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 […]
Dealing with unexplained infertility can be incredibly challenging, especially because you don’t know the reason behind your struggles to conceive. While lifestyle changes, timed intercourse, and medical treatments like Clomiphene citrate, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or in vitro fertilization (IVF) are commonly recommended by your general practitioner or reproductive endocrinologist, there may be other options to […]
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 […]
When you decide to have a family, you want to get pregnant fast. How can you speed up your fertility journey? Does it feel like you have tried everything? But have you? Recently I found a fertility acupuncture study from Australia, which has some good tips. What we know about fertility acupuncture mostly comes from […]
Ovarian reserve is a major factor predicting outcomes in fertility treatments such as IVF. Recent studies suggest acupuncture may help. In this post we will explore what the evidence says. What is “low ovarian reserve”? “Low ovarian reserve” generally refers to situations when: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are reduced – this is the most common […]
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 […]
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 […]
Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in-vitro fertilization outcomes. Hullender Rubin LE, Opsahl MS, Wiemer KE, Mist SD, Caughey AB. Abstract Patients undergoing IVF may receive either acupuncture or whole-systems traditional Chinese medicine (WS-TCM) as an adjuvant IVF treatment. WS-TCM is a complex intervention that can include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary, lifestyle […]