Improved Blood flow

Acupuncture assists pelvic blood flow increasing the blood circulation to the reproductive organs, including the endometrium, uterus ovaries. This improved circulation can potentially enhance the quality and quantity of eggs, as well as the uterine lining, which is crucial for implantation. While research is ongoing, some studies suggest acupuncture could increase the success rates of embryo transfer and improve overall pregnancy outcomes. 

Hormonal Regulation

Acupuncture may help balance reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which play a vital role in ovulation and menstrual cycles. 

Stress Reduction

Acupuncture has been shown to release natural substances into the body, such as endorphins, which induce relaxation and relieve stress and pain. High stress can hinter fertility by affecting hormonal levels, shorten or lengthen menstural cycles by hindering ovulation and making it harder to regularly desire sex.

Improved Sperm Parameters

Male Factor Infertility and Sub-Infertility accounts for 40% of all fertility problems. The biggest mistake we see clinically is for couples putting all the emphasis on treating the female and neglecting to address the male side, and by simply also treating the male can reduce the total amount of time it takes for a couple to conceive. For more information into Male Fertility Treatment see our page HERE 

Fertility is an individual journey and we need to take into account your indivudal cirumstances, as well as you partners. For natural conception we recommend starting with regular treatment over 3 consecutive menstural cycles.

A recent article in Fertility and Sterility medical journal reports that acupuncture has the following benefits;

• Increased blood flow to the uterus and therefore uterine wall thickness: an important marker for fertility
• Increased endorphin production which, in turn, has shown to effect the release of gonodotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a-decapeptide involved in regulation reproduction
• Lower stress hormones responsible for infertility
• Impact on plasma levels of the fertility hormones: follicle-stimulating 
hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestrodiol (E2) and Progesterone
• Normalisation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, a key process in
fertility (1)

When scheduling your Initial Acupuncture Appointment you can come in anywhere in your menstural cycle. At your Initial Appointment your Acupuncturist will be setting your treatment plan and will guide you on when the optimal timing for your next session based on your individual circumstances.

Yes Yes Yes!

One of the biggest mistake couples make is discounting the male aspect and putting all the focus on the female. Current research suggests that male infertility or sub-infertility accounts for approximately 40% of fertility issues. Even when undergoing assisted fertility treatments like IVF as poor sperm health may be responsible for a host of issues including some surprising ones such as recurrent miscarriage, blighted ovum, and in IVF lack of quality fertilised embryos or no embryos at all.  There is a clear relationship between Sperm Concentration, Motility and Pregnancy rates.

To find out more please visit Dr Lauren (TCM)’s blog HERE 

If you would like to come in together please call us on (03) 87197373 so we can set up a couples consult or use our online booking system HERE and select two appointments close together.

You can start Acupuncture anytime during an IVF cycle!

For the most benefits Acupuncture should be started before the stimulation or transfer cycle. However, if you have already started the journey you can still have Acupuncture.

Before a stimulation cycle or assisted cycle

Schedule: 1 – 2 treatments weekly

Before you get started or resume on your assisted fertility journey you may benefit from acupuncture as it can regulate your hormones, may contribute to follicle development and increase implantation. Studies have suggested that after 8 acupuncture sessions a marked improvement in blood flow to the uterus, and improved endometrial lining thickness[1].

During a stimulation cycle or pre-transfer

Schedule: 2-3 treatments for 4 weeks (optimal) plus treatment on day of transfer

Acupuncture treatments during this stage are to increase arterial blood flow to the uterus, nourish and support the endometrium and ovarian cell growth. Acupuncture can also be used to manage any side effects you might experience and reduce anxiety. The treatment protocols used are based on clinical experience. You may see reduced fatigue, moodiness, abdominal swelling and discomfort.

Acupuncture during this stage when combined with Acupuncture on the day of transfer has resulted in significant improved pregnancy rates in IVF[2].

Pre and Post embryo Acupuncture treatments 

Schedule: 1 session within 24 hours before and 1 session after embryo transfer

Acupuncture is thought to increase the arterial blood flow to the uterus to nourish and support the endometrium, as well as create physical and mental relaxation for the woman prior to the transfer.

NO!

We can support your IVF journey anytime during your cycle.

In most cases the answer is no during a stimulation cycle. However, Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used in the lead up to a cycle. To find out more about Chinese Herbal Medicine visit our page HERE

At Balanced Life Health Care we take an integrative approach to fertility and as part of your treatment plan we may recommned high grade vitamins & supplements alongside your Acupuncture. We also recommend working with a nutritionalist or dietitian to optimise diet and lifestyle factors.

As the research currently stands it is considered unclear if Acupuncture can assist with the IVF process. Many of the current studies do not reflect the usage of Acupuncture clinically in private practise rather focus on either Acupuncture before oocyte retrieval or a combination of before / after embryo transfer, instead of regular Acupuncture sessions during the entire process. Here is a review of the current research as quoted in The Acupuncture evidence project (10);

• Qian 2015 (RR of 30 RCT’s & MA): Acupuncture improve clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF. Optimal positive effects were seen when Acupuncture was used during controlled ovarian hyper stimulation (5)
• Manheimer 2013 (SR & MA of 16 RCT): Insufficient evidence (6)
• Jo 2017 (SR of 4 RCT’s & MA): Acupuncture may increase the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rates and decrease ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome in women with PCOS undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (7)
• Cheong 2013 (Cochrane SR of 20 RTC’s): No evidence that Acupuncture improves live birth or pregnancy rates in ART regardless of whether performed around the time of oocyte retrieval or embryo transfer (8)
• Shen 2015 (SR & MA): Acupuncture ineffective when used only on the day of oocyte retrieval but effective when used at follicle phase and 25 mins before and after embryo transfer (9).

1.  A pilot study evaluating the combination of acupuncture with sildenafil on endometrial thickness; Yu W et. Al; Presented at the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Annual Conference 2007
2. Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterus arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture; Stener-Victorian E, et al.; Human Reproduction 1996: 11:1314-1317
3. Acupuncture & IVF Poor responders: A Cure?; Margarelli P, Cridennda D.; Fertility & Sterility; 2004; 81 (Supplement 3): S20
4. Effect of Chinese herbal treatment on Th1- and Th2- type cytokines, progesterone and beta-human chorionic gonatropin in early pregnant women of threatened abortion; Liu F, Luo SP; Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine; 2009 Oct: 15 (5): 353-8
5. Qian Y, Via XR, Ochin H, Huang C, Gao C, Gao Y. (2016). Therapeutic effect of Acupuncture on the outcomes of in-vitro fertilisation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gyneol Obstet Invest; 79 (1): 1-12
6. Manheimer E, Van De Windr D, Cheng K, Stafford K, Liu J, Et Al. (2013). The effects of acupuncture on rates of clinical pregnancy amount women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update Nov-Dec; 19 (6): 696-713
7. Jo J, Lee YJ (2017). Effectiveness of Acupuncture in women with polycystic ovaries undergoing in-vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. Jan 11
8. Cheong YC, Dix D, Hung Yu Ng E, Ledger WL, Frquhar C (2013). Acupuncture and assisted reproductive technology. Cochrane Database cyst rev. (7): Cd006920
9. Shen C, Wu M, Shu D, Zhao X, Gao Y. (2015). The role of Acupuncture in vitro fertilisation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 79 (1):1-12