Fertility Treatment
Promising Research
Physician-scientists at Cornell University conducted a review of current research that supports the potential benefits of acupuncture for infertility and found that:
Acupuncture reduces the stress hormones that interfere with ovulation.
Hormones that regulate ovulation are stabilized, thereby improving the probability that an egg is released. The chances of a fertilized egg implanting are increased due
to the enhanced blood flow to the uterus.
Women with PCOS, which makes getting pregnant difficult, find their ovulation cycles are improved.
Pregnancy rates are increased in women who are going through IVF.
According to a German study in 2002, there was a 50% higher rate of conception when acupuncture was used in conjunction with IVF therapies. An earlier study in Sweden also found that conception rates were boosted when acupuncture was done with IVF.
An article in OBGyn News late last year stated the women who received
acupuncture during the stimulation phase of an IVF cycle and immediately after the embryo transfer have a higher live-birth rate than do controls. This study was conducted by Paul C. Magarelli, MD of the University of New Mexico.
Why is it effective?
Acupuncture involves the skillful insertion of tiny, hair-thin needles into
specific areas of the hands, feet, ears and abdomen. This improves the flow of energy (chi), which in turn increases the flow of blood to the uterus, thus making your body more hospitable for conception. Acupuncture promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress levels that can soar during this most emotional of times. By relaxing the body and creating a nourishing environment for conception, you enhance your chance of success.