How can acupuncture support the IVF process and fertility?
- Relaxation and improved sleep can improve fertility
- Maximising egg quality and improving blood flow to the uterus also aids fertility
- Improving overall health and aiding the digestive system to utilise nutrients can help with fertility issues
- Alleviating side effects of the IVF drugs, for example headaches, bloating, emotional disturbances
There is some good research available on having acupuncture during IVF treatment to help improve fertility. This research suggests that the success rate of IVF treatment can be increased from 30% up to 50-60%. Research article: Acupuncture and IVF by using acupuncture treatments to support IVF and boost fertility.
Read what the Harley street fertility clinic has to say about using acupuncture treatment alongside IVF
When to have acupuncture fertility treatment during IVF
Egg quality is determined 90 days prior to ‘ovulation’ as is sperm quality. It is therefore a good idea to begin preparing for IVF 3 to 4 months before starting your drug protocol. In simple terms, couples should aim to lead a healthy lifestyle for 3 to 4 months prior to IVF fertility treatment to ensure they are in the best possible health before IVF begins.
Diet, general health and fertility
Dramatic changes or extreme diets are not advocated if you’re trying to get pregnant, just clean healthy living. As part of the acupuncture fertility treatment offered for fertility issues Karen advises on how to ‘clean up your diet’ and reduce exposure to household chemicals, as these can disrupt hormonal balance and affect fertility. A good quality fertility supplement may also be useful.
Acupuncture for fertility works in a variety of ways
Usually beginning on day 21 of the cycle, the down regulation drugs are designed to ‘quieten’ the ovaries. These drugs can affect patients differently, some may feel fine and others may experience varying degrees symptoms similar to PMT. An acupuncture session around the time of the bleed helps to ensure a complete expulsion of the endometrium, which will ensure the lining has a better chance of rebuilding smoothly. If you’re someone who experiences painful and/or clotty bleeds, then acupuncture treatment in the preparatory phase is useful to rectify this.
Acupuncture and moxa encourage good blood flow to aid fertility
Once you start stimulation, acupuncture and possibly some moxa treatment can encourage good blood flow to the ovaries and uterus improving the lining and follicular development. Sometimes points are added that help relieve the fluid build up that often occurs with IVF. If patients are particularly nervous about egg collection we can schedule an appointment the evening before, but otherwise it’s worth having a session after egg collection to reduce any inflammation, and fluid retention. Pre and post embryo transfer acupuncture sessions have been shown to improve implantation and ultimately live birth rates.
What I would add here, from experience, is that there’s an element of having to ‘go with the flow’ when it comes to IVF. schedules don’t always run to plan so be prepared to takes things as they come.
If you’d like to book acupuncture fertility treatment online directly or speak to Karen about the specifics of your fertility treatment, please visit our Contact page