Can acupuncture be used to treat infertility?

Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some causes of infertility. For example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address tubal adhesions which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. However, in this situation, an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect of improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

When should acupuncture treatment begin?

Acupuncture is similar to physical therapy in that it is a process oriented method of medical intervention. It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer. This period of treatment seems to have a therapeutic effect.

In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medical interventions. However, conception does sometimes occur when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions.

A German study done in 2002 showed that of the 80 women who underwent IVF and received acupuncture, 34 women got pregnant, a success rate of 42.5%. Of the 80 women involved in the study who received IVF without any acupuncture treatments, only 21 women (26.3%) became pregnant. More recently, an American study involving 114 women showed that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and IVF treatments became pregnant versus only 36% of the women who had IVF alone. Deeper analysis of this study revealed that, while 8% of the women in the acupuncture group miscarried, the rate of miscarriage in the IVF-only group was 20%. Furthermore, women who received acupuncture also had lower rates of ectopic pregnancies.

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Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, and in recent years, it has gained popularity as a complementary therapy for infertility treatment. According to a systematic review of 22 clinical trials, acupuncture significantly improves pregnancy rates in women with infertility (1). The technique involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body, stimulating the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate reproductive function.

Research has shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the uterus, improve ovarian function, and enhance implantation rates (2). Additionally, acupuncture has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common comorbidities in individuals with infertility (3). A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that women who received acupuncture in combination with in vitro fertilization (IVF) had higher pregnancy rates than those who did not receive acupuncture (4).

While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind acupuncture’s effects on infertility, the available evidence suggests that it can be a valuable adjunct therapy for individuals seeking to conceive. If you are considering acupuncture for infertility treatment, be sure to consult with a licensed practitioner who has experience working with reproductive health.

References:

  1. Smith et al. (2019). Acupuncture for fertility: A systematic review. Fertility and Sterility, 112(3), 523-533.
  2. Stener-Victorin et al. (2017). Acupuncture for infertility: A meta-analysis. Human Reproduction Update, 23(3), 341-353.
  3. Kim et al. (2018). The effects of acupuncture on stress and anxiety in women with infertility: A systematic review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(3), 216-225.
  4. Zhang et al. (2018). Acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for in vitro fertilization: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(10), 854-862.