Conditions commonly treated with acupuncture
Treating Fertility with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Evidence suggests that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used since 11AD to support fertility. In addition to being effective in aiding natural conception numerous studies, conducted in the past 9 years, have shown that acupuncture can improve the outcome of modern reproductive techniques primarily In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI).
TCM is effective in treating many conditions related to female and male fertility including:
Irregular menstruation
Anovulation
PMS
Endometriosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Blocked fallopian tubes
Ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids
Hormonal imbalances
Low sperm count, quality, and motility
Unexplained fertility
TCM and Natural Conception
Acupuncture uses the body’s own energy to stimulate production of hormones and endorphins bringing the body back into balance. This not only helps to optimize conditions for fertilization and implantation but additionally strengthens the overall physical and emotional health of the individual.
It is recommended that individuals are seen for acupuncture 3-4 times per month for at least three menstrual cycles. This is a general guideline and of course some couples become pregnant in a shorter time frame while for others it can take considerably longer.
Acupuncture and Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART)
In recent years as both acupuncture and ART have become more widely used acupuncture has been found to improve the outcome of IVF empirically and in clinical trials. There are several reasons for this:
Increased blood flow to the uterus improving ovarian response with production of better quality eggs
Increased thickness of uterine lining and uterine receptivity
Reduce uterine contraction at implantation
Improved sperm count
Improved sperm motility, and structure (morphology)
Hormone regulation
Reduced stress and improved relaxation
Strengthened immune system
Reduced rate of miscarriage
Women that have gone through IVF in combination with acupuncture report less severe side effects to the drugs compared to IVF with no acupuncture.
Acupuncture has been shown to increase pregnancy rate during IVF from 26% to 43% with only two treatments: one before and one following embryo transfer. It stands to reason that incorporating acupuncture treatment earlier in the process will only enhance the likelihood of conception and full-term pregnancy. Treatment frequency during IVF and IUI depends of the individuals condition and the stage of the reproductive therapy, with frequency increasing during the week of retrieval and implantation.
In June of this year the results of a study carried out at the Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Center in Colorado Springs, USA studied 114 women undergoing IVF. Half of the women were treated with acupuncture before and after embryo transfer while the control group did not receive acupuncture.
51% of the women that had acupuncture became pregnant compared to 36% in the control group. 8% of those receiving acupuncture miscarried compared with 20% in the control group.
The women that received acupuncture had a lower rate of ectopic pregnancy and were 23% increase in live birth rate compared to their counterparts in the control group
Wolfgang E. Paulus et al. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproductive therapy. Fertility and Sterility. April 2002. 77(4) 721-724
Pei Jian et al. Quantatative evaluation of spermatozoa ultrastructure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility. Fertility and Streility. July 2005. 84(1) 141-147
Chang Raymond et al. Role of Acupuncture in the Treatment of female infertility. Fertility and Sterility. December 2002. 78(6) 1149-1153
Stener-Vicotrin Elisabet et al. Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Human Reproduction. 11(6) 1314-1317
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