IVF and Acupuncture Studies
Controlled Clinical Study Fertility and Sterility
Volume 85, Issue 5, Pages 1347-1351 (May 2006) Stefan Dieterle, M.D., Gao Ying, M.D., Wolfgang Hatzmann, M.D., Andreas Neuer, M.D. Received 8 May 2005; received in revised form 13 September 2005; accepted 13 September 2005 published online 7 April 2006.
Objective: To determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Design Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.
Setting University IVF center.
Patient(s) 225 infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI.
Intervention(s):
In group I, 116 patients received luteal-phase acupuncture according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
In group II, 109 patients received placebo acupuncture.
Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.
Result(s):
Group I, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher
Group II (15.6% and 13.8%).
Conclusions:
Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.
Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese treatment technique with an empirical basis. Its theory is based on the energy flow of Qi. Imbalances are believed to cause diseases, which can be treated by stimulating specific points on the body surface….. Studies have suggested that the effects of acupuncture might be mediated through neuropeptides in the central nervous system (1, 2). A National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Panel (3) found effects of acupuncture on nausea, vomiting, and pain.
….Various approaches have been suggested to increase the pregnancy rate. It has been shown that the receptivity of the endometrium (6) and the uterine contraction frequency at the time of ET (7) are critical for embryo implantation. In a previous randomized, prospective, controlled study, it was demonstrated that acupuncture before and after ET resulted in a higher pregnancy rate compared with a group without acupuncture (8). Further studies were suggested with a placebo control group (9). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on IVF/ICSI outcome….
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114 Women Study:
In one study 114 women with similar fertility profiles undergoing IVF
two groups: 53 received acupuncture and 61 did not.
The acupuncture group experienced no ectopic pregnancy (non-acupuncture group had 9%)
Less miscarriages (acupuncture group had 8%, non-acupuncture group 20%)
51% pregnancy rate for the acupuncture group versus 36% pregnancy rate in the non-acupuncture group.
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IVF Study Acupuncture Before and After Embryo Transfer
273 IVF women received acupuncture during embryo transfer…
Group 1: Acupuncture on day of the embryo transfer (immediately before and after transfer)
Group 2: Acupuncture on embryo transfer day(immediately before and after transfer) and again 2 days later (closer to implantation day)
Group 3: Control group, not receiving any acupuncture.
Results:
Group 1: 39%
Group 2: 36%
Group 3: 26%
This study suggests that…
Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome of IVF compared with no acupuncture. Repeating acupuncture two days past transfer provided no additional beneficial effect.
Seek out your acupuncturist well before your procedure so they are “on call” for after the procedure, timing is crucial for this one.
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Summary
East West Herzliya Center can help you create your own IVF preparation plan.
Just remember this is a great opportunity for you to be prepare for your coming pregnancy to be healthy, balanced and vital.
Here is a quick summary of how to increase your IVF success rate naturally:
Click here to Contact us to Start your 90 day (3 month) preparation for IVF plan pre-IVF medication plan
- Get acupuncture in preparation and around embryo transfer.
- Cleanse and increase circulation with massage.
- Create a healthy meal plan with nutrition, nutrients and supplements: herbs, multivitamin, antioxidants, EFA & superfoods to help support egg and sperm health.
- Receive stress support with our mind/body program.
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