CAN ACUPUNCTURE INCREASE CHANCES OF GETTING PREGNANT?
One of the most frequent enquiries I receive in my clinic is about the efficacy of acupuncture in enhancing fertility. The answer, grounded both in scientific research and my 15 years of hands-on experience, is a yes.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT:
Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), boasts a long history of therapeutic applications. Its role in fertility, in particular, is underpinned by two primary mechanisms:
Enhanced Blood Flow: Acupuncture has been shown to elevate blood flow to the reproductive organs. This augmented circulation provides superior nourishment to the ovaries and uterus, laying the groundwork for a favorable reproductive environment.[1]
Hormonal Regulation: The technique can have a direct impact on the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis. This axis plays a pivotal role in regulating vital reproductive hormones, including the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). A balanced hormonal environment is essential for optimal fertility.[2]
There is an increasing body of evidence that supports acupuncture and fertility. Here are some examples:-
· Acupuncture can boost fertility success rates when used alongside other fertility treatments, with studies showing that it can elevate pregnancy rates by 30% when utilized before and after embryo transfer. A particular study noted a 76.8% success rate in inducing ovulation with acupuncture. When coupled with IVF, acupuncture was found to increase live birth rates by 51%(1.)
· A re-meta-analysis underscored that acupuncture outperformed sham acupuncture in boosting the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) of IVF-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), with a relative risk (RR) of 1.31 (95% CI: 1.13–1.52, p = 0.0004)2.
· Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65% in comparison to control groups. Additionally, a study by Villahermosa et al. reported enhanced clinical pregnancy rates during IVF treatment with the incorporation of acupuncture (3.)
· A systematic review illustrated that the intervention group with acupuncture had improved outcomes in terms of live birth rate (RR = 1.34; 95% CI (1.07, 1.67); P < 0.05), clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.43; 95% CI (1.21, 1.69); P < 0.05), and other pregnancy-related metrics(4.)
· A meta-analysis of 10 randomized clinical trial (RCT) studies discovered a significant augmentation in the pregnancy rate (PR) of IVF treatment, especially when acupuncture was administered on the day of embryo transfer (5)
FROM MY TREATMENT ROOM:
Over the past 17 years, my journey as an acupuncturist and herbalist has allowed me to witness firsthand the positive outcomes that many individuals have achieved through acupuncture and herbal medicine for fertility. Please see Fionas story here. These real-life experiences, combined with the growing body of scientific evidence, make a strong case for acupuncture as an invaluable tool in the fertility toolbox.
CONCLUSION:
In the pursuit of enhanced fertility, acupuncture offers a promising, evidence-based avenue worth considering. Whether you're exploring complementary therapies or seeking an integrated approach to fertility treatments, acupuncture holds significant potential to support your journey.
ABOUT KATE FREEMANTLE
I am an acupuncturist and herbalist with over 17 years of clinical experience supporting fertility. I work online and in my Dorset clinic.
I am a Fertility Support trained expert. To find out more about my expertise or another expert near you click here.
If you would like to find out more please get in contact here or call me on 07880545943.
References:
· "Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial" on ScienceDirect
· "Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates applied before and after embryo transfer (ET) among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)" on PubMed
· Meta-analysis of "10 randomized clinical trial (RCT) studies" regarding acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rate on PubMed
· "Acupuncture as Treatment for Female Infertility: A Systematic Review" on PubMed
· "Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation" on PubMed4
· "Pregnancy Benefit of Acupuncture on in vitro Fertilization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" on Springer