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 an 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.
This study by Beijing Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology has shown acupuncture to be superior to clomophene on ovulation and pregnancy rates in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Other studies have shown that unlike Clomophene, acupuncture can have long term effect on PCOS by reducing the sympathetic nervous tonus. Apart from study methodology issues, another […]
A truly thorough, well-referenced paper exploring the mechanism and effects of acupuncture on PCOS. Written by leading PCOS researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Effect and Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Ovulation Induction Julia Johansson and Elisabet Stener-Victorin Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive […]
Acupuncture showed considerable advantages over the metformin for obese PCOS patients. Acupuncture was shown to be more effective then metformin at improving menstrual freqency, reducing body mass index and waist to hip ratio. It also had fewer side-effects. Effectiveness of Abdominal Acupuncture for Patients with Obesity-Type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial To cite […]
This study shows that there is a significant benefit to integrate acupuncture with IVF treatment for patients with two or more failed IVF cycles. It is one of the few studies using sham acupuncture to ensure that the effect of acupuncture is real, not just a placebo. The study was published in a reputable, pier-reviewed […]
This study demonstrates that acupuncture has a synergystic effect with Chinese Herbal medicine in treatment of Endometriosis. Furthermore the effect of acupuncture and herbal medicine was found to be superior to a pharmaceutical medicine Danazol. The abstract of the study is below. Acupuncture enhances the effects of Chinese herbal Medicine in treatment of Endometriosis J. […]
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2012 Dec;18(12):1105-7. [Compound Xuanju Capsule combined with vitamin E improves sperm chromatin integrity]. [Article in Chinese] Song B1, He XJ, Jiang HH, Peng YW, Wu H, Cao YX. Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of the combined therapy of the Chinese medicine Compound Xuanju Capsule and vitamin E on sperm […]
This systematic review on Acupuncture and IVF is especially interesting. The studies of the well researched German protocol show acupuncture to be effective on the day of embryo replacement. This systematic review shows that acupuncture during ovarian stimulation also plays significant role in increasing the pregnancy outcomes of IVF. The role of acupuncture in assisted […]
Advanced maternal age and increased risk of hypertensive disorders, a small-for-gestational-age infant and gestational diabetes? This study shows that it is all about the blood flow, not about age. Early uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and the outcome of pregnancy in women aged 35 years and older H. J. van den Elzen1, T. E. Cohen-Overbeek1, D. […]
Women who combined TCM Acupuncture with the procedures for undergoing IUI had signi?cantly higher pregnancy.
What is semen liquefaction? Immediately after ejaculation semen coagulates and then liquefies again within 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, for about 11.8 per cent of men, diagnosed with infertility, semen does not liquefy. One of the main causes, why sperm doesn’t liquefy, is inflammation. To be precise, the inflammation of the prostate and seminal vesicles. […]
A comprehensive article explaining how acupuncture may help prevent miscarriages. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Mar 22;12(1):20. [Epub ahead of print] Acupuncture as a therapeutic treatment option for threatened miscarriage. Betts D, Smith CA, Hannah DG. Abstract ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Threatened miscarriage involves vaginal bleeding in a pregnancy that remains viable. This is a common early […]
This study published in journal of Spermatogenesis contributes to understanding of how acupuncture improves sperm parameters. The researchers found that acupuncture improved Sertoli cell functions. This has enhanced germ cell proliferation. The result is improved motile sperm count. The study design could not evaluate other sperm parameters. Spermatogenesis. 2012 Jan 1;2(1):53-62. Electroacupuncture enhances spermatogenesis in […]
acupuncture improve menstrual frequency and decrease circulating androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Zheng CH, Huang GY, Zhang MM, Wang W. Abstract You can read the full paper here. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PATIENT(S): Women undergoing IVF […]
Acupuncture improves clinical pregnancy, implantation rate and live birth rate of IVF embryo transfer. The researchers used Transcutaneous electro acupuncture in this study. Transcutaneous electrostimulation is another way to stimulate acupuncture points. And needles are not necessary! As you can see from the abstract below, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and live birth rate all […]
Acupuncture group reported significant changes on two domains on the Fertility Problem Inventory with less social concern, and less relationship concern. There were also trends toward a reduction of infertility stress on other domains, and a trend toward improved self-efficacy and less anxiety in the acupuncture group.
Increase of success rate for women undergoing embryo transfer by transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study Objective To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on pregnancy rates (PR) in women undergoing ET. Design Prospective, randomized, single-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting Research and laboratory facilities. Patient(s) A total of 309 […]