Acupuncture and IVF
Research over the past two decades, on several thousand subjects, has shown that women receiving acupuncture in conjunction with IVF treatments have higher success rates than their counterparts who do not receive acupuncture. Yes, the women in the acupuncture groups had 50-65% higher pregnancy rates. Add to that, more recent research reveals that women receiving acupuncture twice a week for 5 weeks had regulated stress and fertility hormones (namely cortisol and prolactin) thereby improving pregnancy outcomes. There’s even research showing acupuncture can help improve sperm quality.
Acupuncture and IVF
By placing hair-thin needles in acupuncture points on your body, your body gets the message to reduce inflammation, improve uterine and ovarian blood flow, balance hormones, regulate ovulation, and overall encourages your body in becoming a more welcoming, hospitable vessel for pregnancy. Plus, it's extremely calming to the nervous system-- which any women on the #ttc journey know, it's stressful, anxiety-ridden, and challenging. So, even if we just focus on the research that shows how stress can impact fertility hormones, getting acupuncture can be a welcome relief to your body and mind and help balance your endocrine system.
What that means is, if you are doing IVF, you should also be doing acupuncture (and if you’re partnered in a heterosexual relationship, your man should too).
As a practitioner of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the past 17 years, I’d extend that even further and say: if you’re #TTC, no matter the method, acupuncture can help you get and stay pregnant because the data is also suggesting that acupuncture can improve egg quality and diminished ovarian reserve.
Yes, I absolutely recommend acupuncture as part of the treatment plan as it is an age-old medicine that helps the body function better. How I see it: acupuncture is another tool that my clients use to help prepare their bodies and minds to conceive. In conjunction, I guide my clients on the most researched and proven diet, lifestyle and supplements (like the ones mentioned in this FREE video series), to help them get to their dream baby. What I’ve learned clinically is that acupuncture is way more effective when my patients are following all the fertility-enhancing lifestyle recommendations I preach.
I typically like to work with women a few months before they undergo fertility treatments, especially on the diet, lifestyle and supplement piece, but that isn’t always feasible. As the research shows above, even just 5 weeks before an ART acupuncture can have a major impact on the success rates. And, even if you just do acupuncture before and after an IVF transfer you can be like one of the thousands of women researched who experienced a 50-65% higher success rates in comparison to their non-acupuncture counterparts.
I’m sure all of you IVF Warriors know the low down on diet and supplements to improve egg quality. If you need a refresher, I have a FREE video series I created on the topic, check it out here. Again, I’ve been in this field for 17 years and have helped thousands of women get and stay pregnant and what I see is that the clients of mine who do acupuncture regularly (2-4 x/month) AND follow the 7 steps to better quality eggs I have outlined in the FREE video series, have the best results. Not only does their overall health improve but their fertility measurements do too. And they do seem to get and stay pregnant at a higher rate than their counterparts who don’t. Remember- the eggs in your ovaries are made up of cells that need the same nourishment as all the cells in your body. Taking a few antioxidant supplements isn’t enough as you can’t out supplement a lifestyle that isn’t supportive of health and vitality.
Like anything, there are no guarantees that adding acupuncture into the mix will render you pregnant, but the research shows that it definitely isn’t going to hurt.
And, at the least, you will feel more relaxed, balanced, and hopefully supported on your path to motherhood. I highly recommend you find an acupuncturist who understands fertility, can guide you on diet and supplements, and is certified by the NCCAOM. As I say in my book, Yes, You Can Get Pregnant, “using both acupuncture and Chinese herbs in regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle and improving her fertility quotient is extremely beneficial. Both acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to optimize circulation and blood flow to your uterus.”
From a TCM perspective, fertility challenges often arise due to poor quality blood, cold in the uterus, a deficiency of vital substances (known as blood, Qi and essence), and stagnant or unprocessed emotions. When working with your TCM practitioner, they will use acupuncture (and other modalities like moxibustion and lifestyle adjustments) to help bring all of these vital substances into harmony as well as warm the uterus (aka improve uterine blood flow) and assist in resolving stuck or repressed emotions. All of these factors come into play when there are fertility challenges present. In TCM we don’t use words like estrogen or progesterone rather we focus on bringing into harmony the vital substances and bringing ease and peace to your mind and body so that you can be in the best place possible to achieve this pregnancy. As I say in my book, over and over, “Fertility is an extension of health. And, you have the power to optimize your health and improve your fertility.” Sometimes a woman needs assistance in restoring that power, acupuncture, and TCM can be the impetus.
Wherever you are on your fertility journey, Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine have been scientifically proven to help increase success rates of getting and staying pregnant. So, it is likely in your best interest to find an acupuncturist to work with who can support you on your path to motherhood.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.