IVF and Acupuncture

Acupuncture Enhances IVF Treatments

The latest scientific research on the use of Acupuncture with IVF shows:

a 65% increase in establishing pregnancy,
an 87% increase in continuing pregnancy,
and a 91% increase in live births.
Click here to read more about these findings.

Other News:

FoxNews.com: Acupuncture: A Cure for Infertility?
BBC News: Acupuncture ‘Boosts IVF Success’
The Independant: Acupuncture may increase chances of success in IVF

Why does Acupuncture help?

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to enhance fertility. By improving the flow of energy and blood in the body, and by bringing the body into its optimum state of relaxation and equilibrium, it helps to create more ideal conditions for a pregnancy to take place.

Moreover, undergoing in vitro fertilization and other Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments can be stressful, and it is important to find ways to care for yourself and to maintain your physical and emotional wellbeing. Acupuncture can help you to reduce stress and to relax, and it can help to increase your chances of a successful outcome.

When should I receive treatments?

Before IVF:

If it is possible, begin to receive weekly treatments up to three months before your embryo transfer to help prepare you. At this stage, the goals of treatment are to:

• Improve the functioning of the ovaries (if you are using your own eggs)
• Increase blood flow to the uterus and the thickness of the uterine lining
• Reduce the side effects of the medications
• Improve the sperm quality and quantity
• Decrease the chances of miscarriage
• Strengthen your overall health and help you to relax and reduce stress

On the day of your embryo transfer:

Even if you have never received an acupuncture treatment previously, receiving acupuncture on the day of your transfer, both right before and right after the transfer may help to:

• Improve circulation of energy and blood to the uterus
• Relax the muscles and relax the uterus to prevent contractions
• Increase your ability to remain calm and relaxed during your transfer

After a positive result:

Receiving acupuncture treatment in the first trimester of your pregnancy may help to soothe anxiety, reduce the chances of miscarriage, and to relieve the nausea (“morning sickness”) that sometimes occurs at this stage.

After a failed cycle or a miscarriage:

Acupuncture at this stage can help you to recover physically and to regain your emotional equilibrium so that you will be well prepared to begin another cycle.