Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). During a session, thin disposable needles are painlessly inserted into specific points in the body. The neural signal that is created, -in relation to the selected point- brings about positive changes in the organ systems: digestive, circulatory, reproductive, etc.
In recent years, acupuncture has also emerged in the West as a very effective adjunctive therapy to improve fertility, either when naturally trying to conceive or during the IVF process. Western medical journals such as Fertility & Sterility have published numerous studies presenting research showing that acupuncture improves fertility. This is because it appears to stimulate the release of hormones that affect the menstrual cycle and ovulation, as well as blood flow to the uterus making conception more likely. In addition, studies show that acupuncture significantly reduces stress levels, making the demanding period of trying to conceive calmer and easier to manage.
The application of acupuncture is short, painless, devoid of side effects of drugs and especially in the case of IVF, it seems to reduce the side effects that may arise from hormonal stimulation. Above all and according to research, it enhances the success rates of either natural efforts or IVF, contributing to the desired result of pregnancy and bringing a healthy baby to life.
According to research, acupuncture
- Regulates the hormones responsible for fertility (Anderson 2007)
- Increases blood flow in the reproductive organs (Ho 2009, Anderson 2007)
- Increases egg production (Jin 2009) and improves their quality (Chen 2009), which improves the chances of clinical pregnancy
- Enhances luteal (secretory) function (Huang 2009)
- Regulates FSH receptor expression (Jin 2009).
- Improves cortisol and prolactin levels (Magarelli 2008)
- Reduces stress (Anderson 2007, Balk et al 2010)
- Reduces stress in women doing IVF (Acupuncture and Stress, Brazil 2012)
Research: Acupuncture and IVF:
-2002, “German Study” by Paulus
Performed on 160 infertile women who underwent IVF. 80 of them had acupuncture 25 minutes before and after the embryo transfer. In the other 80 there was no adjuvant therapy. The success rate on the first group was 43%, while among women who did not receive acupuncture, 26%.
– 2004, P. C. Magarelli, Collorado Springs,
Performed on 114 infertile women who underwent IVF. The success rate on the group that received acupuncture was 51%, while among women who did not the success rate was 36%. Another conclusion that emerged was related to miscarriage; only 8% of the women in the acupuncture group, compared to the 20% in the group who didn’t receive acupuncture, had a miscarriage.
– 2013, Isoyama Manca di Villahermosa
Performed on 84 infertile women who had at least two failed IVF attempts. It shows that acupuncture and moxatherapy have greatly increased the chances of pregnancy in women undergoing IVF. The success rate was 35.7% as opposed to 7.1% in women who did not have acupuncture.
