Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is a commonly used supportive treatment while undergoing Western fertility treatments such as IVF and IUI. At Balanced Life Health Care in Ferntree Gully, we will work in with your Western Fertility protocols to prepare for, during and after your assisted fertility treatments. Our practitioners are experienced and well versed in the area of fertility and IVF support and Your sessions will be timed to specifically benefit your wellbeing, and your cycle no matter when you start.
Many health practitioners may recommend acupuncture as an adjunct treatment that may assist with IVF treatment. There is continuing research about how acupuncture can assist with the effectiveness of IVF treatment and you should consult your treating practitioner/s about how acupuncture and natural medicine may be able to help you.
How does Acupuncture assist IVF?
Acupuncture isn’t a guarantee, but it can support your IVF cycle in measurable ways. Research suggests acupuncture may:
- Improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
- Support hormonal balance (including FSH and LH regulation)
- Reduce cortisol and increase serotonin to ease stress
- Support endometrial receptivity and lining development
- Improve implantation and live birth rates when used consistently
Acupuncture may also assit to reduce the negative side effects that some women experience during IVF including;
- Bloating and digestive discomfort
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Sleep disruption
- Reduce anxiety and stress related to the IVF process
Research indicates that Acupuncture positively affects IVF outcomes. A retrospective cohort study by Hullender Rubin et al. (1) found that women who received whole-systems traditional Chinese medicine (WS-TCM), including acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary advice where appropriate had significantly higher live birth rates compared to those who did not receive such interventions. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Zhong et al. (2019) suggested that acupuncture may improve endometrial receptivity, a crucial factor in embryo implantation (2).
When to have Acupuncture?
You can start Acupuncure anytime during your IVF journey, it is never too late. At Balanced Life Health Care we pride ourselves on providing indivdualised care to support all types of women going through IVF. Here is just an example of what your practitioner may recommend;
Before stimulation cycle; weekly or biweekly sessions
During a stimulation cycle; biweekly sessions
Around transfer; a session before and a session after transfer
Post-transfer; a session 3-5 days post-transfer
Many of our clients at Balanced Life Health Care come in before starting or resuming the IVF process. From an acupuncturist perspective this gives us valuable time to work on underlying health issues, and prepare the body, and mind for a stimulation cycle or transfer. Studies have even suggested that Acupuncture can have a marked improvement in blood flow to the uterus, and improved endometrial lining thickness (3), and The Smith study (2019) reinforced that a higher number of sessions—particularly three or more—correlated with improved IVF outcomes, which supports a whole-cycle approach (4).
We also encourage male partners to also work on sperm health. To find out more visit our Male Fertility Page.
Chinese Herbal Medicine before and during an IVF cycle
Prior to a stimulation cycle begins we commonly prescribe Chinese Herbal Medicine alongside supplements and vitamins that will be aimed at enhancing your fertility to get the best out of your cycle. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analysis from 2012 form the basis that Chinese Herbal Medicine may have the potential to improve IVF (5) and natural fertility (6) outcomes including;
- Significantly improved ongoing pregnancy rates
- Significantly improved implantation rates
- Reduction of miscarriage rates (5)
The most common herbs that has been clinically studied in use during IVF process are;
Radix rehmanniae preparata – Shu Di Huang (in 16 trials)
Radix angelicae sinensis – Dang gui (in 15 trials)
Radix paeoniae alba – Bai Shao (in 12 trials)
Although these are some of the main herbs used in research trials they are not the only herbs that may be prescribed, as Chinese Herbal Medicine places large emphasis on individual diagnosis and treatment, so you personal needs are taken into account.In most cases Chinese Herbal Medicine is stopped before stimulation cycle is started to reduce the chances of negative impacts on your cycle.
Our clinic is supportive of all family going through IVF including LGBTI friendly and Single Parents
