Acupuncture for IVF Support

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a very common procedure helping many women and couples wishing to conceive. IVF is a method to help couples overcome fertility difficulties by which an egg and sperm are matched together in a laboratory. Once eggs have been retrieved, fertilisation and embryo culture takes place allowing the embryo to grow in a protected environment for approximately 5 days (known as the blastocyst stage) before being transferred into the woman’s uterus, which is similar to a pap smear. This process aims to help increase the chances of pregnancy. 1 in 6 Australian couples have trouble getting pregnant for either explained or unexplained reasons in either the male or the female (3).

 Causes of fertility difficulties may involve a variation of factors including:

• Problems with sperm production.
• Problems with egg production.
• Male or female reproductive system structures.
• Hormone imbalances.
• Immune system conditions.

Women fertility complications may occur from the following factors:

• Age.
• Problems with the fallopian tubes or tubal disease.
• Endometriosis.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
• Fibroids.
• Ovulation disorders.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (Salpingitis, STI’s).

 Male fertility complications may occur from the following factors:

• Low sperm count or impaired sperm production.
• Abnormally shaped sperm.
• Blocked tubes.
• Anti-sperm antibodies.
• Genetic conditions.

 

IVF Acupuncture may be able to assist you on your journey 

A body of evidence is presented on the topic of acupuncture administered for IVF and ICSI that indicates acupuncture has a significant treatment effect on clinical pregnancy and birth rate when conducted at varied time points. It is important to note that research is ongoing and inconclusive.

Acupuncture may be able to lend you a helping hand by offering different techniques for different symptoms i.e stress, to assist women, men and couples though the process of IVF, IUI or other Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) methods. Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture treatments focus on addressing or finding links between symptoms and underlying causes or constitutional factors that may contribute to certain health concerns or fertility complications. At Vyne Health we like to help women and families that may be struggling to conceive naturally and emotionally.

We often have fertility patients seeking relaxing acupuncture treatments to assist them in the following ways during their fertility journey: 

• Enhance relaxation.
• Reduce symptoms of stress and/or anxiety.
• Emotional support and balance.
• Assist with improved sleep quality.
• Decrease muscular tension or headaches associated with stress.
• Regulate the menstrual cycle (assist with pain relief).
• Assist side effects associated IVF medications (nausea, pain and discomfort).
• Ongoing support during the first trimester (first 3-months) where high-stress, anxiety or morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) may be present. 

 

There is some research evidence that Chinese medicine treatment may assist in supporting specific fertility treatments such as IVF, and there is also broad agreement by Chinese medicine practitioners and other health practitioners about acupuncture as an adjunct treatment for IVF.

Research on the effects of Acupuncture during IVF

• No evidence that acupuncture improves live birth or pregnancy rates in ART regardless of whether performed around the time of oocyte retrieval or embryo transfer (Cheong 2013 - Cochrane update with 20 RCTs) (3).
• Acupuncture ineffective when used only on the day of oocyte retrieval but effective when used on the day of embryo transfer (Shen 2015 - SR & MA) (4).
• Acupuncture improves clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF. Optimal positive effects were seen when acupuncture was used during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. (Qian 2016 – SR of 30 RCTs & MA) (5)
• Acupuncture may increase the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate and decrease the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women with PCOS undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (Jo 2017 – SR of 4 RCTs & MA) (6).
• Insufficient evidence when used around Embryo transfer; Not effective when used around oocyte retrieval - with this evidence we rather support the woman through general health by building Kidney Jing etc. essential for pregnancy for 3 - 6 months rather than delivering a Paulus protocol. 

Our practitioners are AHPRA and AACMA registered and licensed Australian Acupuncturists. We can help provide you and your partner with additional support along side your gynaecologist or fertility specialist.

We take into consideration any previous fertility difficulties and perform a thorough initial health screen as part of your initial consultation and treatment. This helps us better understand your constitution and current health status allowing a treatment plan to be designed specifically for you.

We can assure you that IVF Acupuncture is very relaxing, gentle and effective for positive outcomes.

If you have any questions or would like to know if acupuncture may be able to assist you and your partner, please contact us on (07)5515 0409.

We look forward to helping! 

 

 

 References:

1. Zheng CH, Huang GY, Zhang MM, Wang W, 2012, Effects of Acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fert Steril. 97(3) pp. 599-611.
2. IVF Australia: https://www.ivf.com.au/about-fertility/infertility-treatment

3. Cheong YC, Dix S, Hung Yu Ng E, Ledger WL, Farquhar C. Acupuncture and assisted reproductive technology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013(7):Cd006920.

4. Shen C, Wu M, Shu D, Zhao X, Gao Y. The role of acupuncture in in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2015;79(1):1-12.

5. Qian Y, Xia XR, Ochin H, Huang C, Gao C, Gao L, et al. Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of invitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016 Dec 19.

6. Jo J, Lee YJ. Effectiveness of acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2017 Jan 11.