Can acupuncture hurt or help our chances for IVF conception?

It definitely won't hurt your chances, and, personally, having a knowledge of ancient chinese medicine (i'm a licensed massage therapist) I believe it could definitely help!

Hi Sally,

At SIRM-Los Angeles, the acupuncturists arrive in house to perform the acupuncture while you're there in the room before the embryo transfer and after the embryo transfer while you're lying still, and think this may be of benefit, but overall acceptance and definitive scientific data is lacking

I suppose this question also points to the bed rest question. Do you believe that I should go home straight after embryo transfer and lie inert for days? My acunpuncturist is right next to the clinic; last time I went to her before and after transfer. Do you feel I should do this again the next time? Might I actually risk doing harm, as the studies suggest?

As precaution, many centers do advise bed rest immediately after the embryo transfer for usually a couple of days...whether in fact this is necessary is yet to be proven (don't know if not doing so would be detrimental), but makes some sense and since people go through so much, can't hurt to suggest and may actually help.

my question is should Acupuncture help both men and women?

There is data that it may increase sperm counts and may also help men as such...

Thank you once again Dr. Q! Please keep safe in the fires and get them out...sending you prayers!!!!

Hi Sally,

We have done accupuncture with both of our IVF transfers. I think it helps!

Hi Sally:

The mechansism-of-action of acupuncture is simple. By releasing beta-endorphins from the brain, acupuncture interrupts the sympathetic nervous system which causes vaso and arterial dilation thus causing increased blood blow throughout the body. When placing needles in specific areas of the body, this blood stimulating effect occurs specifically at the ovaries and the endometrial lining. By increaseing hemodynamics to the ovaries the following occurs: 1) there is a greater amount of delivered oxygen, nutrients and hormones to the ovaries thereby increasing follicular/oocyte quality. Increased blood flow also means increased excretion of dead cells from the ovaries also improving ovarian function. 2) As there is a greater delievery of blood to the lining there will be a healthier lining which means a greater possibility of implantation. Please note that a 'thick' lining is not the same as a 'healthy' lining. In fact, scientifically speaking, the morphology of the lining has no relationship to the intraendometrial vascularization (blood flow of the lining).

These scientifically proven facts show how acupuncture may improve egg quality and lining quality which means a greater chance of pregnancy.

The purpose of the post IVF embryo transfer acupuncture protocol is simple: When the doctor places the embryo into the uterine cavity, spasming in the tissue will occur. Obviously, a spasmed lining is not conducive to a viable implantation. Acupuncture, done right after the transfer reduces this spasming and thus improves pregnancy rates.

Best wishes.

Dr. Berkley

berkleycenter.com

acupuncture

Dr. LaTasha Craig's study used acupuncture points that are forbidden during pregnancy. The ancient texts warn that these particular points may increase the risk of pregnancy loss.

Apparently, Dr. Craig just proved that the acupuncture text warnings should not be ignored.

When it is conducted responsibly, acupuncture has been shown to greatly increase IVf pregnancy rates and pregnancy rates in general for that matter. I do not know any acupuncturists that use forbidden points after embryo transfer so I don't think you have to worry about seeing acupuncturists in general for that.

If you have any concerns then just use an acupuncturist that has demonstrated competence in reproductive medicine: www.aborm.org They are all aware of these issues.

Dr. Horn

herbalroom.com