Acupuncture: IVF success rates are improved.

Suzanne Morgan, BSc, MBAcC

Research has shown that there are several benefits when acupuncture and IVF are used together. Most important is that the success rate in becoming pregnant is increased with acupuncture IVF treatment by around 15%.

There are other additional benefits:

• the chance of miscarriage is reduced
• the chance of tubal pregnancy is reduced
• reduced side effects from drugs
• helps to reduce the stress and anxiety often involved in this situation.

According to scientific research there are four main ways in which acupuncture may improve IVF success rates:

• increased blood flow to ovaries and uterus 
• neuroendrological modulations
• modulation in cytokines
• reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

If you are interested in acupuncture IVF treatment, the ideal course of treatment should begin a few months prior to IVF treatment. The reason for this is that the treatment will focus on:

• improving and regulating the menstrual cycle
• nourishing the uterus and endometrium
• attempting to increase the quality of the eggs.

This work needs to be done before IVF treatment is begun. When the IVF date approaches the treatment will focus on further nourishing the uterus and ovaries so that more good quality follicles can be extracted.