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Vitalis Skiauteris

A 6,000-Patient IVF Study Reveals How Many Acupuncture Sessions Are Needed for Meaningful Results

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Green leaf emerging in natural light, symbolising gradual physiological adaptation and growth

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” of treatment, squeezed into one or two sessions around embryo transfer, and then a sweeping verdict that acupuncture offers limited benefit.

This is exactly what this major 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis set out to clarify. And it has confirmed something we have been talking about for decades: acupuncture works best when it is delivered as a carefully designed course of treatment, not as a one-off intervention. This study directly addresses one of the most common questions patients ask – “How many acupuncture sessions do I need for IVF?”

By analysing nearly 6,000 IVF cycles across multiple randomised controlled trials, the study showed that acupuncture delivered repeatedly and in advance of embryo transfer was associated with improved pregnancy and live birth outcomes. In contrast, some single or last-minute treatments showed limited effect.

This distinction matters.

Because many acupuncture studies are designed around the assumption that “one session should be enough”, they systematically underestimate what acupuncture is capable of.

To be clear, studies demonstrating measurable effects after a single acupuncture session are plentiful. However, these studies typically assess immediate physiological responses or symptoms (such as transient changes in blood flow or autonomic nervous system tone) rather than the complex adaptations (including improved uterine vascularisation) that support implantation and live birth.

This article explains how that misconception has shaped fertility research, why cumulative treatment is essential for physiological change, and why acupuncture should be understood less like a pill and more like a training stimulus for the body.

If you have ever wondered why acupuncture shows significant benefit in some studies but others show neutral effect, this study helps explain why.

Is One Acupuncture Session Enough?
Why Some Studies Get Acupuncture Wrong

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Vitalis Skiauteris

How Acupuncture Supports the HPO Axis and Fertility

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A New Zealand native fern: symbolising the natural balancing effect of acupuncture on HPO Axis and fertility

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 Premature Ovarian Insufficiency) happen when this communication network is unbalanced. A  study publishsed in Journal of Integrative Neuroscience has explored how acupuncture helps to restore this delicate balance by directly influencing the HPO axis.

The Study at a Glance

Researchers investigated how acupuncture affects the HPO axis. The study measured key reproductive hormones to understand how acupuncture regulates them.

In participants with dysfunctional or irregular ovulation, acupuncture was found to modulate the neuroendocrine activity of the HPO axis. Specifically, it helped normalise the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus, which in turn improved the balance of FSH and LH secreted by the pituitary gland. This hormonal adjustment supported better ovarian function and more regular ovulatory cycles.

What the Findings Show

Acupuncture helps restore ovarian function by re-balancing the HPO axis through two main pathways:

1. Adjusting Chemical Messengers (Neuroendocrine Regulation)

Acupuncture works by influencing the release of key hormones and nerve signals produced in the brain (hypothalamus) that control reproduction, including:

  • Reproductive Signal Control: Acupuncture helps regulate crucial reproductive signals, such as GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone), which, in turn, influences the release of LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone). By doing this, acupuncture may promote follicle development and ovulation.
  • Key Peptides: It specifically targets neuropeptides like kisspeptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), which are critical for maintaining reproductive homeostasis. For instance, acupuncture can stimulate the release of kisspeptin to activate the HPO axis.
  • Mood and Nerve Chemistry: Acupuncture also modulates neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, GABA). This regulation may help modulate emotional states and HPO axis function.

2. Regulating Nerve Communication (Neural Pathways)

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Acupuncture for Uterine Receptivity: How It Prepares Your Womb for Pregnancy

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The Mount Cook lily, New Zealand’s iconic alpine flower, symbolises fertility and uterine receptivity - representing hope, growth, and the journey to pregnancy.

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 equally about how prepared your body is to welcome and nurture an embryo. This critical factor is known as endometrial receptivity (ER). When ER is compromised, even embryos of the highest quality can fail to implant, making pregnancy elusive.

A new review published in Frontiers in Physiology in 2025 analysed dozens of studies and shed light on what we as TCM fertility specialists have long recognised: acupuncture may help support uterine receptivity.

What is Uterine Receptivity?

Uterine receptivity – often termed endometrial receptivity – is the state in which the lining of your uterus (the endometrium) undergoes carefully timed changes to allow a blastocyst (early embryo) to attach and begin to implant into the uterine tissue. It’s the brief window when the uterus is ready for implantation.

Just like planting a seedling best works in spring, your uterus has a short “planting season” each month when everything is perfectly balanced for the embryo to stick and start growing. Only when uterus is ready and ready at precisely right time, the embryo can attach to it and begin the amazing journey of growing into a baby.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Integrating Acupuncture into IVF Treatments: A New Hope for Overcoming Recurrent Implantation Failure

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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 Implantation Failure (RIF)

For many couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), RIF is a major hurdle. It is defined as the absence of clinical pregnancy despite the transfer of multiple high-quality embryos. The emotional and physical toll of repeated failures can be overwhelming, prompting many to seek alternative therapies that could tip the scales in their favor.

Study Insights: Acupuncture made a significant difference

The investigation focused on 164 patients experiencing recurrent implantation failure (RIF) during their IVF-embryo transfer processes. The participants were systematically categorized into two groups: a control group, which continued with the standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for endometrial preparation, and a study group, which received an innovative combination of acupuncture, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), and HRT. The findings from this comparative analysis revealed notable enhancements in the study group:

  • Endometrial Thickness: The study group, treated with acupuncture in conjunction with GnRHa, showed a significant increase in endometrial thickness compared to the control group. This factor is crucial as a thicker endometrium is often associated with higher rates of embryo implantation.
  • Morphological Improvements: There was a higher prevalence of favorable endometrial morphologies, specifically linear endometrium (A + B type), in the study group. Such morphological features are considered beneficial for embryo implantation, indicating a receptive uterine environment.
  • Blood Flow Enhancement: The study group also demonstrated enhanced submucosal uterine blood flow, particularly with an increase in type III flow patterns. Improved blood flow to the uterus is essential for creating a nourishing environment that supports embryo implantation and growth.

These results underscore the potential benefits of integrating acupuncture with GnRHa in the treatment protocol for patients undergoing IVF, especially those with a history of RIF, by improving endometrial receptivity and overall pregnancy outcomes.

 

Acupuncture improves embryo implantation rate in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients undergoing IVF

Adding acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF improved embryo implantation rate in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients

As you can see the embryo implantation rate was much higher when acupuncture was used. Consequently this also resulted in much higher pregnancy rate. How can the pregnancy be higher than implantation rate? This difference due to more than one embryo being transferred in both control group (approximately 1.82 per cycle) and acupuncture group (1.76 per cycle). Effectively, there were fewer embryos transferred in the control group, but it still resulted in much higher pregnancy rate.

 

Acupuncture improves IVF success rates in patients with RIF

IVF success rates in patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) were improved significantly with acupuncture

 

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Vitalis Skiauteris

The Increasing Efficacy of IVF with Acupuncture: A Deep Dive into the Latest Research

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Increasing Efficacy of IVF with Acupuncture A Deep Dive into the Latest Research

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 and systematic review of 25 previous trials, involving a total of 4,757 participants. The volume of information contained in these trials gives us a clearer picture of the potential benefits of acupuncture in the context of IVF, and the results are incredibly promising.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Why to try acupuncture for IVF anxiety

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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 shoulders, increased heart rate and shallow breathing, and the physical toll on your body and mind might go unnoticed.

In addition to the toll on your health, infertility stress may affect your life and relationships so much so that you may feel discouraged about pursuing treatment. In fact, the most common reason why patients discontinue IVF is the psychological burden.  Despite studies showing stress reduces your chances of conception, unfortunately, IVF clinics don’t always offer the support you need to manage that stress. Yes, some clinics, like the ones Auckland NZ, do offer a couple of counselling sessions, but stress management mostly falls on already exhausted patients.

 

What can you do to manage your IVF and infertility stress and anxiety?

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Roberta Mek

Acupuncture to support sperm quality – where do you put the needles?

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Picture this: a lovely couple nervously sits in front of me during their first fertility acupuncture consultation. They want to know how acupuncture can help with male factor infertility.

Due to the male factor infertility diagnosis, the couple had already gone through three cycles of IVF with ICSI, recommended by a reproductive endocrinologist. Sadly, none of these cycles resulted in viable embryos. The gentleman’s eyes fill with tears as he shares his story.

He says, “I’m super healthy! I don’t smoke, drink or eat junk food, I work out regularly. Still… Nothing. We’re willing to try anything at this point.”.

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Roberta Mek

New study shows Acupuncture can boost IVF live birth rates by 30%

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Acupuncture increases IVF live birth rates

Can IVF acupuncture improve live birth rates, aka take home babies?

Despite 20 years of vigorous IVF acupuncture research, further studies are ceaselessly coming in. Browsing our website you will find evidence IVF acupuncture benefits pregnancy or live birth rates. And there are also studies that do not show the effect on pregnancy rates, but highlight other acupunctures’ benefits, like improved embryo quality or better blood flow in the uterus or reduced stress. And sometimes it may seem like it is bit challenging to clearly understand the benefits and draw conclusions on IVF acupuncture. This maybe due to differences study methodologies and due to the variety of protocols used – not all reproductive acupuncture is effective.

If you think that fertility acupuncture evidence is somewhat confusing, here is a study to clear things up.

Our ABORM colleague, Dr Lee Hullender Rubin recently embarked on a mission to provide clarity on the role of acupuncture in IVF treatments.  She analysed the two latest and most rigorous systematic reviews and meta-analyses resulting in an insightful overview in her recent study.

Here we present to you a summary of the key findings on how this time-tested therapy can help during your next IVF, based on data from nearly 2000 women.

The the current evidence on the effect of acupuncture on IVF outcomes

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Roberta Mek

Poor IVF responder? Add acupuncture to improve outcomes

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Have you been labelled as a poor IVF responder? Is there a way you can up your chances of making a baby? You know there are not many options. Can acupuncture help?

IVF is the numbers game. The important part of IVF is for your ovaries to safely produce as many follicles as possible. And poor IVF responders’ ovaries, as the name suggests, don’t grow many follicles. This means these IVF cycles are often cancelled. If you are lucky you may end up with a couple of oocytes. Furthermore, those eggs are less likely to turn into embryos.

The poor ovarian response (POR) is a diagnosis no one wants when trying to conceive. IVF clinics can’t do much to help you respond better. There are several IVF protocols you can try, but unfortunately, they are seldom successful.

So, what does “poor IVF responder” mean? Let’s take it apart.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

IVF acupuncture success

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 pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rate. Not to mention women who had this natural treatment had significantly lower anxiety.

The study was a randomized controlled trial. It involved 72 women undergoing IVF who were either assigned to a group that received acupuncture or a control group that did not receive acupuncture.

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Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial

Pinar Gursoy Guven 1, Yasemin Cayir 2, Bunyamin Borekci 3
Affiliations collapse
Affiliations
1Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
2Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey. Electronic address: dryasemincayir@yahoo.com.
3Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erzurum, Turkey.
PMID: 32127151 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2020.01.018
Free article
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates applied before and after embryo transfer (ET) among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Materials and methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 infertile women undergoing IVF were randomized to acupuncture (AG; n = 36) and control group (CG; n = 36). Three sessions of acupuncture were applied to AG, the first was one week before ET, the second was 30 min before ET, and the third was 30 min after ET. CG received no acupuncture. The primary outcome was pregnancy success rate (Beta-HCG level, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth). Secondary outcome was anxiety level (STAI-1 state anxiety scale). Beta-HCG levels were assessed for conception 12 days after ET. Additionally, STAI-1 state anxiety scale was administered 30 min before and after ET to measure anxiety levels in both groups.

Results: The mean age was 30.9 ± 3.7 years. Positive Beta HCG was detected in 63.9% (n = 23) of the AG and 33.3% (n = 12) of CG (p = 0.009). Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates were higher in AG (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups concerning anxiety scores before ET (p > 0.05). The mean STAI-1 score was decreasing from 57.3 ± 9.8 to 28.8 ± 3.3 in AG, while it was decreasing from 57.0 ± 8.0 to 41,1 ± 6,8 in CG after ET (p < 0.000).

Conclusions: It was observed that three sessions of acupuncture before and after ET significantly increased the pregnancy rates in women with unexplained infertility. It was also found that acupuncture significantly reduced anxiety levels that occurred before ET.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Embryo transfer; Infertility; In vitro fertilization; Pregnancy.

Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Depression, infertility and acupuncture

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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 and depression? Stress and infertility – a classic Catch-22?

Many couples dealing with infertility experience increased levels of anxiety and depression, which can put a strain on their relationship and even affect their ability to conceive. Dealing with infertility causes significant distress.

Unmanaged depression can have a negative effect on a couple’s relationship.  It can affect the libido in both partners, and it even has a toll on sperm quality.  No surprise that men diagnosed with major depression are less likely to conceive a child. And women with severe symptoms have 38 per cent fewer conceptions each month.

So what can you do to address this? Are there any safe treatment options?

Many studies have explored and showed the negative effects of antidepressants on pregnancy and on health of a developing baby. We are not yet certain how these drugs affect fertility.

For instance, women undergoing medical treatment for depression are more likely to miscarry. The same study links the use of antidepressants and male infertility.  If you are in a position to choose, discuss non-pharmaceutical treatment with your doctor. For those looking for a safe and effective alternative, fertility acupuncture may be worth considering.

How to overcome your depression naturally when trying for a baby

There are a few effective non-drug interventions. We recommend a combination of

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Roberta Mek

Why improve your endometrial lining and Acupuncture is the answer

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Get your garden ready for your little seed! You may have heard that you need to prepare the soil before planting, and the same goes for getting your body ready for pregnancy. The uterine lining (endometrium) is where your future baby will attach, get nutrition, and grow. Furthermore, a healthy uterine lining can help reduce the risk of early miscarriage.

So, what’s the key to fertile soil for the baby? The ideal endometrial lining before the implantation should be about 8mm in thick and have a good blood circulation. Ideally, it will have a three-layer pattern, which it can be seen on the ultrasound. Women with better blood circulation in the endometrium have more live births with IVF.

Developing embryo relies on endometrial lining for nutrients until at least the tenth week of pregnancy. Uterine linings also regulates placental growth and differentiation.

However, treatments that optimise your endometrium are limited, and we don’t yet know of any lifestyle interventions that are proven to help. That’s where acupuncture comes in.

Why you should try acupuncture

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Vitalis Skiauteris

IVF acupuncture – C.Smith JAMA study: the treatment protocol does matter

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JAMA IVF acupuncture study

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 understand this particular study.

This new study questions acupuncture’s effects on IVF pregnancy outcomes, but when you peruse the paper carefully the validity of it comes into the red zone for several reasons: Read more

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Pelvic inflammation – how acupuncture can help

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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 gonorrhea. With a recent rise in reported STIs cases in New Zealand, there is an increased risk of women developing the pelvic inflammatory disease.

It’s concerning as you may not realise you have PID.  Symptoms may be mild, or you may not feel any difference at all.  However, if you have symptoms like

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Vitalis Skiauteris

IVF acupuncture: why 2 sessions on the day of ER are not enough

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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 both acupuncture and herbal medicines 3+ months leading to IVF. And our colleagues who did their research agree. Furthermore, below is a study published this month suggesting that three acupuncture sessions around the day of embryo transfer are insufficient intervention.

There are situations where you will not have enough notice, or you will learn about acupuncture late in the IVF process. It may be not too late. You can still benefit from a shorter course of treatment. As an example, studies have shown that when done correctly, even four acupuncture sessions can improve uterine blood flow. If you’re willing to benefit from this treatment, please get in touch with us as early as possible. If you started IVF and you feel like it’s too late don’t worry. There are still ways how we may help improve your chances of success. When we apply the correct approach, we can make a difference even after you’ve started IVF.

If your fertility is on the rapid decline because of your age, or other factors, delaying IVF to boost your fertility may not be wise. We take every aspect of your reproductive and general health into consideration. During your initial appointment, we discuss all options with you so you can choose.

We’ve prepared a lecture on the strategies of designing optimal individualised acupuncture protocol. This lecture soon will be available via a leading continuing medical education provider shortly.

Get in touch if you’re interested to learn about the optimal protocol for IVF Acupuncture.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Why you should try acupuncture for unexplained infertility

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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 explore. In recent years, acupuncture has become an increasingly popular complementary treatment for couples experiencing unexplained infertility. Here we will analyse the reasons why acupuncture maybe your best option.

What role does acupuncture play in treating unexplained infertility?

At our clinic, we have seen firsthand the benefits and positive results that reproductive acupuncture can bring to couples struggling to conceive. In fact, we have witnessed some patients who had previously tried other treatments for for many years, conceive naturally under our care.

However, acupuncture research is underfunded and methodologically/technically challenging, therefore there are only a few research papers that specifically explore unexplained infertility.

So understandably, I was excited to see a paper that took on the challenge and shed light on acupuncture’s potential for unexplained infertility.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

How many acupuncture sessions will reduce your IVF stress?

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IVF stress acupuncture

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 exposed to chronic stress were 27% less likely to conceive with IVF.

How many acupuncture sessions do you need to have a significant impact on stress?

Is it realistic to think that a single acupuncture session can reduce the cumulative effects of stress that has happened over a longer period, say 3-6 months?

A recent study led by Dr Sutton explored this question. They compared a month of regular acupuncture with one session on the day of embryo transfer. Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer is often recommended by reproductive endocrinologists.

To no surprise women who had several acupuncture sessions felt more relaxed. Unfortunately, researchers didn’t further explore if acupuncture dose has an impact on pregnancy rates.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Get pregnant faster with acupuncture

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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 the studies about IVF. In contrast to IVF research, general reproductive acupuncture studies are hard to come by. While we see many IVF patients, about 50% of our couples are trying to conceive naturally, in the privacy of their homes. So studies discussing Chinese Medicine treatment for fertility without IVF are interesting to us and our switched-on patients.

Can you actually get pregnant faster without IVF?

This Australian study explored the effect of acupuncture on fertility awareness and regularity of your cycle. But what they actually discovered will surprise you.

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Vitalis Skiauteris

Ovarian reserve – acupuncture offers new hope

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Close-up of fresh and shrivelled figs illustrating diminished ovarian reserve

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 way to diagnose it by IVF clinics
  • There is poorer response to stimulation in IVF, meaning fewer eggs retrieved
  • Antral follicle count (AFC) is low (via ultrasound)

These markers are commonly used by fertility specialists to predict how ovaries may respond in IVF cycles.

In this study, researchers investigated how acupuncture influenced reproductive potential in women who had low ovarian reserve. 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 AMH.

Key findings

Researchers observed increased number of eggs collected with IVF. The embryo quality was also improved. Consequently, women who had acupuncture had better IVF pregnancy outcomes.

  • Hormone levels improved in TEAS and AEC groups: increases in AMH and AFC; decreases in FSH; improved FSH/LH ratio.
    Infertility Acupuncture info NZ
  • Egg retrieval: More oocytes retrieved in TEAS and AEC than in placebo or control.
    Infertility Acupuncture info NZ
  • Embryo quality / transfer numbers: Higher number of embryos transferred and better embryo quality in treatment groups.
    Infertility Acupuncture info NZ
  • Pregnancy rates: Clinical pregnancy rate in the TEAS group was markedly higher than in the other three groups.

The study was published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research.

Summary

Low ovarian reserve can make fertility treatment more difficult. Early evidence shows acupuncture may support ovarian reserve and improve IVF outcomes, though more research is needed.

Are you interested in learning how acupuncture can support your fertility? Contact Dr Vitalis Acupuncture Auckland.

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Roberta Mek

Reproductive acupuncture vs medication for anovulation

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anovulation LUFS fertilisation

How does reproductive acupuncture compares to the medication at improving ovulation?

One of the causes of anovulation is luteinised unruptured follicle syndrome (LUFS).

LUFS affects 5%-10% of healthy women and 25%-43% of women with infertility. This syndrome is more common among women diagnosed with endometriosis.

Most commonly LUFS is diagnosed during a series of ultrasound scans.

In women with LUFS, the dominant follicle will grow bigger than usual (up to 4 centimeters). The follicle will undergo the luteinisation process, but it will not rupture during the midcycle to release the mature egg. Progesterone levels will increase as if you have ovulated. Your endometrium will undergo premenstrual changes. In other words, you won’t be able to see any difference in your period. The menstrual flow will be no different from a healthy menstrual cycle. But, obviously, if the egg is not released, and if you have LUFS it is not, pregnancy cannot happen.

There is a clear explanation of why some women get LUFS.  The main treatment for it is ovulation induction with hCG hormonal injection or Clomiphene. These treatments are a risk of hyperstimulation syndrome and other side-effects.

Does acupuncture offer a treatment alternative to anovulation?

A recent literature review on acupuncture’s effect on LUFS has been published in the Journal Of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. And if offers a safe and effective alternative. Read more

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