Acupuncture support during IVF and IUI treatment
Image from Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash
We did a little Q&A with Jennifer McIntosh, Soul Sprout’s very own fertility specialist to answer some of your questions about the process and expectations of using acupuncture for support during IVF and IUI.
Q: Why would someone want acupuncture support during IVF?
A: Recent studies have concluded that using acupuncture while undergoing IVF treatments can significantly increase the chances of conceiving. Acupuncture treatments before and after transfers are proven to be beneficial, however, to maximize the benefits of Chinese medicine, weekly treatments are recommended for at least two months prior to the start of IVF. Check out this study.
Q: When should I begin treatment?
A: Acupuncture can help support you at any point in your IVF journey, however, a new study has shown that using acupuncture, herbal medicine and targeted dietary and lifestyle recommendations for at least two months prior to starting an IVF cycle, resulted in higher birth rates than patients who only received acupuncture on the day of their embryo transfer. You can read that study here.
Q: If I am about to start an IVF cycle tomorrow, am I too late?
A: Absolutely not. We can help you and support you wherever you are in the process. To understand exactly how we help you in each stage, keep reading below.
Q: How can acupuncture help?
• Increases blood supply to your uterus and thickens the uterine lining for implantation
• Reduces the impact stress hormones can have on your reproductive system
• Increases blood supply to the follicles for better egg quality
• Decreases uterine contractions which can help with implantation
• Patients report a decrease in stress and a reduction of adverse effects from fertility medications
Q: What is the treatment plan once you begin an IVF cycle?
A: During the stimulation phase, I recommend acupuncture treatments twice a week. It is during this time that we want to enhance the effects of the medication and help stimulate and nourish your follicles as much as possible.
After your egg retrieval, acupuncture can help you recover from uncomfortable bloating, constipation or any other discomfort you might be feeling.
Prior to your transfer, we will focus on growing and thickening your uterine lining as well as diminishing any possible inflammation to ensure the best chances for implantation.
Post-transfer, acupuncture can help support progesterone levels, keeping them elevated to increase the chances of a positive pregnancy test.
Q: How can acupuncture help with an IUI cycle?
• Increases blood supply to your uterus and thickens the uterine lining for implantation
• Reduces the impact stress hormones can have on your reproductive system
• Increases blood supply to the follicles for better egg quality
• Decreases uterine contractions which can help with implantation
• Patients report a decrease in stress and a reduction of adverse effects from fertility medications
Q: What is the treatment plan once you begin an IUI cycle?
A: During the follicular phase (pre-ovulation), I recommend acupuncture treatments twice a week. It is during this time that we want to help nourish and stimulate follicle growth as much as possible.
Post-ovulation/insemination, acupuncture can help support progesterone levels, keeping them elevated to increase the chances of a positive pregnancy test.
Q: Are there other things you do aside from acupuncture to support positive IVF and IUI outcomes?
A: Yes! I make nutritional and lifestyle tweaks to help support your efforts. I also sometimes provide herbal formulas or supplements, and sometimes use low level light therapy when it is appropriate.
Q: If I don’t have the time or money to commit to the treatment plan above, is it worth it for me to still do acupuncture at all?
A: Yes, absolutely. Do what you can. Acupuncture provides a benefit regardless of how long or how frequently you get treatment. It is not all or nothing. The treatment plan above provides the greatest benefit that we have seen, but you will still improve your chances of success with less acupuncture treatment than what we recommend.
Q: Can you guarantee I will get pregnant if I get acupuncture treatment while going through my fertility treatments?
A: I wish I could, but unfortunately I can not. While acupuncture can significantly improve clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate, the addition of acupuncture during IVF and IUI does not make these procedures 100% successful.