The causes of infertility can be varied and are sometimes difficult to identify. Whatever the cause, fertility problems can often be overcome with surgery, medications, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) – a modern medical approach where the egg, sperm, or both are handled by a doctor to increase the chances of conceiving. Yet there is a limitation to these procedures. Even though hundreds of thousands of babies are born with the help of ART every year, the success rates are slim and decrease with the woman’s age. ART come with a hefty price tag as well; one cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000, or more.
Recent studies show a direct link between acupuncture and fertility when integrated with conventional ART procedures. The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture brings a number of positive effects on the male and female reproductive system, increasing the chances of successful implantation and reducing the likelihood of miscarriage. Here are just some of the ways acupuncture can improve the chances of a successful ART procedure.
Induces relaxation
Western researchers have been doing studies on acupuncture for decades but in 2002, the journal Fertility and Sterility published a study that increased the treatment’s popularity among infertile couples. This study, which was led by Dr. Wolfgang Paulus from the University of Ulm in Germany, found that 42% of women who received acupuncture before and after an ART procedure got pregnant compared to 26% of women who got pregnant with ART without acupuncture. In that same year, researchers from Cornell University Medical School published a study in the same journal. According to this paper, acupuncture increases the chances of conceiving because it reduces anxiety and stress. Stress hormones can over-stimulate the nervous system, causing the blood flow to be diverted from the uterus and go to the stress-coping glands instead. Acupuncture can restore the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, thus enhancing fertility.
Regulates hormone production and improves egg quality
One of the benefits of acupuncture to female fertility is its ability to treat problems in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, the regions of the brain responsible for hormone production. The acupuncture needles also stimulate the release of beta-endorphins, which influences the production of reproductive hormones that control the menstrual cycle, such as the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), gonadtropin releasing hormone (GRH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). The treatment’s effect on the body’s hormones results in regular ovarian functions, normal menstrual cycles, increase of follicles, and healthier eggs.
Reduces the side effects of fertility drugs
Most ART procedures include a course of fertility drugs to induce the release of multiple eggs and increase the chance of successful implantation. The irony is that many of these drugs, particularly Clomid, can also cause infertility by producing a thin uterine lining that cannot sustain an embryo for long. Acupuncture can reverse these side effects by improving the blood flow to the uterus and helping produce a thick, uniform uterine lining. This effect was documented in a study in Human Reproduction in 1996. Women who received two acupuncture treatments with their IVF cycle – one 25 minutes before the embryo transfer and another 25 minutes after – had a higher pregnancy rate than the women who did not get acupuncture with IVF.
Lowers the chances of miscarriage
Many studies look at the pregnancy rate after IVF and acupuncture, but what matters more is if the pregnancy is carried to term. A paper presented in the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine shows that acupuncture can increase the live birth rate of ART procedures. This study looked at 131 women who went through an IVF/ICSI procedure; 48 of them went through an acupuncture treatment while 83 declined. Although the rates of successful embryo transfer were almost the same (50% of the acupuncture group versus 45% of the control group), the miscarriage rate in the acupuncture group was significantly lower at only 8% (versus 14% in the control group). The rate of ectopic pregnancy was also lower – nobody in the acupuncture group got an ectopic pregnancy.
Should I get acupuncture with my ART procedure?
Since acupuncture is a safe and painless technique that causes no harmful side effects, most fertility experts say it’s a good idea to get acupuncture treatments to complement an ART procedure. Scientific evidence points to its benefits for increasing success rates of ART and in addition, the relaxation provided by acupuncture is enough to recommend the procedure, what with the stress of coping with infertility and expensive ART treatments. Those who have conceived after ART and acupuncture are most assuredly grateful about the positive outcome despite the additional cost of the acupuncture treatments combined with the cost of ART.
diana farrell is the author of the trademarked full embrace series of books on overcoming infertility that have helped many couples get pregnant. if you would like more information about http://www.pregnancysuccessprogram.com/acupuncture-and-fertility/acupuncture and fertility and other fertility enhancing tips please visit
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