Acupuncture and Infertility
How acupuncture works in women with infertility is somewhat of a debate. It has been hypothesized that it helps women relax while undergoing stressful infertility treatments. Most acupuncturists say that acupuncture helps by regulating your body’s system. This aids in blood flow to the reproductive organs and stabilizes hormone levels. This in turn will increase ovarian function in women as well as sperm production in men. It has also been suggested that acupuncture and herbal therapies used before artificial reproductive technology (ART) increases the thickness of the uterine lining. Progesterone levels have been found to be higher in women receiving acupuncture and herbal treatments before ART treatments. Another reason that acupuncture may have well known that acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which increases blood flow (vasodilatation) and also allows the patient to become incredibly relaxed. During implantation sometimes the uterus “flutters” and has small contractions. It has been suggested that acupuncture allows for such deep relaxation that this no longer occurs. We have also seen more follicles grow, thicker uterine linings, more eggs retrieved and better quality embryos after treatment.
Used as a complementary form of therapy for women undergoing other fertility treatments, acupuncture has been proven to be especially beneficial and increases the rate of pregnancy in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A German study done in 2002 showed that of the 80 women who underwent IVF and received acupuncture, 34 women got pregnant, a success rate of 42.5%. Of the 80 women involved in the study who received IVF without any acupuncture treatments, only 21 women (26.3%) became pregnant. More recently, an American study involving 114 women showed that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and IVF treatments became pregnant versus only 36% of the women who had IVF alone. Deeper analysis of this study revealed that, while 8% of the women in the acupuncture group miscarried, the rate of miscarriage in the IVF-only group was 20%. Furthermore, women who received acupuncture also had lower rates of ectopic pregnancies.
In general, in our practice we recommend coming for regular treatments for three months before ART is recommended, especially if the patient has tried ART/IVF in the past without success. This allows the herbal remedies and acupuncture to really take hold and bring about a strong mind and body for implantation and future pregnancy. It is ideal for acupuncture to be given as close to transfer as possible. If transfer is early in the morning we suggest acupuncture the night before and then again the morning after transfer. Treatments can be done in our office, your doctor's office, or in the comfort of your own home.
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Irina has now partnered with top rated Genesis Fertility Clinics to provide exclusive acupuncture treatments to their patients. Genesis's renowned physicians are consistently voted New York's best doctors by New York magazine. With offices throughout Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island, there is surely a facility to help treat you. Visit their website at www.genesisfertility.com.
