Can you use acupuncture to support you when undergoing IVF treatments?
This is another really common question we hear in the clinic – “Can I use acupucnture to help support my IVF treatments?”
The journey through any ART (assisted reproductive technology) can be a stressful one (1). When working with Women or couples undergoing IVF treatments, we will always use the language of our medicine to help us come to a diagnosis, and to help us soothe some of the stress that can occur whilst going through a cycle.
We understand that many women are choosing to go through IVF treatments to increase their chance of falling pregnant. We are here to offer support as an adjunct therapy. There have been various research studies performed around the use of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy in ART. Some of the studies have been very positive, others have shown limited positive effect – i.e. the results were unclear (2). However, a more recent systematic review ( think of it as a gold-medal for research ) from 2016 has shown very positive results, with acupuncture improving Clinical Pregnancy Rates (CPR) in women undergoing IVF (3).
If you would like to talk about how we can fit into your current IVF treatments, or if you are planning to undergo IVF in the near future, we’re only too happy to talk about how acupucnture be help as an adjunct treatment.
Want to know more about how we may help with your current health concerns?
If you are looking for an acupuncture clinic in Brisbane where the practitioners pride themselves on their dedication to their work, then please get in touch. Phone us today at 3357 3205 or book online via the link below.
References:
- Eugster A, Vingerhoets AJ. Psychological aspects of in vitro fertilization: a review. Soc Sci Med. 1999 Mar;48(5):575-89.
- McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (Revised Edition). Brisbane: Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
- Qian Y et al. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2017 Mar;295(3):543-558. doi: 10.1007/s00404-016-4255-y. Epub 2016 Dec 19.
- Stener-Victorin E, Humaidan P. Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer. Acupunct Med. 2006 Dec;24(4):157-63.
- Manheimer E et al. BMJ 2008;336 pg 545-549 British Medical Journal
- Stener-Victorin E, Humaidan P. Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer. Acupunct Med. 2006 Dec;24(4):157-63.
- Paulus W et al, Fertil Steril 2002 Vol 77, pg 721-724 Fertility and Sterility
- Westergaard L et al, Fertil Steril 2006 Vol 85, pg 1341-1346 Fertility and Sterility
- City Fertility Centre, Complementary Therapies and IVF http://www.cityfertility.com.au/wpcontent/uploads/2017/04/ MFS05_ComplementaryTherepiesandIVF_0314.pdf-web.pdf viewed 4/7/17
Bibliography
- Magarelli, PC, D Cridennda, M Cohen. Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec;92(6):1870-9 Fertility and Sterility
- Huang ST, Chen AP. Traditional Chinese medicine and infertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jun;20(3):211-5.
- Grant LE, Cochrane S, AJACM 2014, vol 9 Issue 1, pg 5 Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine
- Fan Qu et al, Sci Rep Nature, (2014), 4, Article number: 5028 Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing