IVF and Acupuncture
- mark
- Aug 6, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 7
Wondering when to start acupuncture for IVF? Here's what the latest research suggests.
More recent research now suggests most benefit is achieved with a higher “dose” of acupuncture prior to and during the IVF cycle.
1. Commencement
The evidence denotes that:
if you are going to use acupuncture it may be advisable for to have it before and during the stimulation phase of the IVF cycle.
it is useful for women to consider acupuncture treatment in the menstrual cycles before their IVF cycle, or before a frozen embryo transfer to improve the uterine lining.
2. How many sessions
The most recent Meta-analysis revealed a connection between acupuncture treatment dose and pregnancy rates. Notably, higher dose acupuncture before embryo transfer significantly improved pregnancy outcomes.
In studies where more than three treatments were performed, the clinical pregnancy rate significantly improved (Smith 2019).
One 2015 study by Hullender showed that acupuncture administered to IVF patients at a dose of 9-12 treatments prior to embryo transfer is associated with a higher proportion of live births.
Hullender analyzed over a thousand IVF cycles. The study found that women who used Chinese Medicine (acupuncture with or without herbs) had higher live birth rates compared to those undergoing IVF alone."
How much higher?
The proportion of live births was as follows:
61.3% in the Chinese Medicine group
48.2% in the usual IVF care group
50.8% in the group having acupuncture only on day of Embryo transfer.
3. When should I book in?
Ideally, at least 1 month before your start your IVF cycle.
I advocate bi-weekly treatment for 4 weeks prior to IVF cycle and 2 weeks during stimulation cycle.
Electro-Acupuncture may be used during IVF stimulation and/or prior to Frozen embryo transfer.
4. Acupuncture on day of embryo transfer
Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer(or within 24 hours of) has significant benefit for women who have increased stress levels or who have had multiple previous IVF cycles, or where there was a low baseline pregnancy rate expectation (Smith 2018). Continuing this approach in the two-week wait for test results is also helpful for these women to manage IVF related stress and anxiety.
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These recommendations have put together drawing on the most recent research findings.
These research-based recommendations aim to clarify:
When to start acupuncture and how many Acupuncture treatments may be of benefit.
Considerations surrounding Embryo Transfer Acupuncture (ETA) and acupuncture in the wait between embryo transfer and pregnancy blood test.
The information in this article can also be viewed from the source: The Acupuncture fertility Clinic in Sydney.
