Acupuncture is the most commonly used adjunctive therapy to IVF and has become integrated into many of the best fertility clinics across
the world.
A study in 1992 found that conception rates with acupuncture rose to 42.5% compared to a non acupuncture control group that achieved a success rate of only 26.5%.¹ The interest generated by this research led to similar trials, which produced similar results. More recently the British Medical Journal analysed all the available research that stood up to rigorous scrutiny.² This large study involving 1366 patients also found that acupuncture significantly increases the success of IVF treatment.
Used predominantly to increase success rates, it can also been useful in helping support couples as they go through what can be a challenging the process. While acupuncture works to aid implantation rates, by modulating cytokines and immune response, regulating stress hormones that affect implantation, modulating neuroendocrinological factors (regulating hormone levels) and increasing blood flow to the uterine lining. Other assisted conception treatments, IUI and donor egg cycles can be supported in a similar way. Fertility treatment can be a uniquely stressful experience acupuncture can help support you through the process and help manage the stress levels.
The following stages give an idea of the ideal timings of acupuncture treatment when used alongside IVF treatment and the purpose of treatment at each stage. You will see that emphasis is placed on enhancing the function of the uterine environment throughout in order to improve the likelihood of successful implantation. The healthy function of the uterine environment is, in Chinese medicine, reflected through the nature of the menstrual flow, which ideally should be bright red, free flowing and without pain or clotting.
During down-regulation, the medication is used to stop the stimulation of the ovaries by the pituitary gland. This effectively puts your menstrual cycle on pause, so that the ovaries can be controlled with stimulation drugs. However such regulation can cause the period to be delayed, to be lighter or to not come at all. At this point acupuncture treatment is focused on ensuring an efficient elimination of the womb lining. Producing a full clear-out of the old endometrium allows the best opportunity to develop a fresh, healthy and thick lining with good blood flow.
Treatment may also be used at this stage to reduce the potential side effects of down-regulation such as headaches or hot flushes.
If you are on the short protocol (and are not taking down-regulation medication), the principle is exactly the same – to try to achieve the best possible clear out of the old lining to make way for the new.
During the stimulation phase follicles start to develop in the ovaries and the womb lining starts to build up again. The medications are targeting the ovaries to produce multiple mature follicles. IVF stimulation enables the ovaries to provide more mature eggs to be collected than on a normal natural cycle. As such the acupuncture does not significantly add to number of follicles produced, but rather concentrates on optimising the quality and function of the womb lining, helping it both thicken and have a good blood supply. Typically patients are seen twice during this phase and if there is any specific issues such as thin endometrium, blood-clotting disorders, or very dark clotted menstrual flow, an additional treatment may be given during this phase.
Acupuncture at embryo transfer - this is the time that many patients have heard of and that much of the research focuses on. Acupuncture is performed both before and after the embryo transfer. The purpose of the treatment is to increase blood flow to the womb lining in order to increase receptivity, and to reduce any uterine contractions or spasms that may occur due to the transfer procedure itself.
Research strongly suggests that these treatments are time-dependent which means it should be done as soon as possible before and after. Ideally 24 hours before and 24 hours after treatment. At this point treatment also works to regulate stress hormones which affect implantation, reduce anxiety and calm the mind.
Acupuncture into the TWW and beyond - this is a very stressful period for many couples, and anxiety levels are usually pretty high, acupuncture may be used to help relax during this time. Ideally, once a positive result has been achieved, treatment until week 12 of the pregnancy is recommended in order to maintain balance and ensure the pregnancy progresses smoothly.
the world.
A study in 1992 found that conception rates with acupuncture rose to 42.5% compared to a non acupuncture control group that achieved a success rate of only 26.5%.¹ The interest generated by this research led to similar trials, which produced similar results. More recently the British Medical Journal analysed all the available research that stood up to rigorous scrutiny.² This large study involving 1366 patients also found that acupuncture significantly increases the success of IVF treatment.
Used predominantly to increase success rates, it can also been useful in helping support couples as they go through what can be a challenging the process. While acupuncture works to aid implantation rates, by modulating cytokines and immune response, regulating stress hormones that affect implantation, modulating neuroendocrinological factors (regulating hormone levels) and increasing blood flow to the uterine lining. Other assisted conception treatments, IUI and donor egg cycles can be supported in a similar way. Fertility treatment can be a uniquely stressful experience acupuncture can help support you through the process and help manage the stress levels.
The following stages give an idea of the ideal timings of acupuncture treatment when used alongside IVF treatment and the purpose of treatment at each stage. You will see that emphasis is placed on enhancing the function of the uterine environment throughout in order to improve the likelihood of successful implantation. The healthy function of the uterine environment is, in Chinese medicine, reflected through the nature of the menstrual flow, which ideally should be bright red, free flowing and without pain or clotting.
During down-regulation, the medication is used to stop the stimulation of the ovaries by the pituitary gland. This effectively puts your menstrual cycle on pause, so that the ovaries can be controlled with stimulation drugs. However such regulation can cause the period to be delayed, to be lighter or to not come at all. At this point acupuncture treatment is focused on ensuring an efficient elimination of the womb lining. Producing a full clear-out of the old endometrium allows the best opportunity to develop a fresh, healthy and thick lining with good blood flow.
Treatment may also be used at this stage to reduce the potential side effects of down-regulation such as headaches or hot flushes.
If you are on the short protocol (and are not taking down-regulation medication), the principle is exactly the same – to try to achieve the best possible clear out of the old lining to make way for the new.
During the stimulation phase follicles start to develop in the ovaries and the womb lining starts to build up again. The medications are targeting the ovaries to produce multiple mature follicles. IVF stimulation enables the ovaries to provide more mature eggs to be collected than on a normal natural cycle. As such the acupuncture does not significantly add to number of follicles produced, but rather concentrates on optimising the quality and function of the womb lining, helping it both thicken and have a good blood supply. Typically patients are seen twice during this phase and if there is any specific issues such as thin endometrium, blood-clotting disorders, or very dark clotted menstrual flow, an additional treatment may be given during this phase.
Acupuncture at embryo transfer - this is the time that many patients have heard of and that much of the research focuses on. Acupuncture is performed both before and after the embryo transfer. The purpose of the treatment is to increase blood flow to the womb lining in order to increase receptivity, and to reduce any uterine contractions or spasms that may occur due to the transfer procedure itself.
Research strongly suggests that these treatments are time-dependent which means it should be done as soon as possible before and after. Ideally 24 hours before and 24 hours after treatment. At this point treatment also works to regulate stress hormones which affect implantation, reduce anxiety and calm the mind.
Acupuncture into the TWW and beyond - this is a very stressful period for many couples, and anxiety levels are usually pretty high, acupuncture may be used to help relax during this time. Ideally, once a positive result has been achieved, treatment until week 12 of the pregnancy is recommended in order to maintain balance and ensure the pregnancy progresses smoothly.