When Should I Start Acupuncture for IVF?
Acupuncture treatment has a myriad of benefits for patients choosing IVF and other assisted reproductive therapies. A growing body of research suggests that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the uterus, regulate hormonal imbalances, and improve pregnancy rates in IVF patients. Patients naturally have many questions about the best ways to put this ancient practice to optimize their chance of conceiving. However, the most frequently asked question in regards to acupuncture and IVF is:
When should I start acupuncture treatment for IVF?
In Chinese medicine, everyone is seen as a unique individual. Every treatment session is customized to fit the individual's health history. A one-size, fits-all treatment does not exist in Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Additionally, treatment protocols for fertility are customized according to each phase of the menstrual cycle. However, in regards to when to start acupuncture prior to an IVF cycle, my answer is the same for every person which is:
"As soon as possible!"
If you are only just learning about acupuncture in the days or weeks leading up to your IVF retrieval or transfer, don’t panic. More than 20 years of data shows us that just one or two acupuncture sessions can have a powerful impact. This piece of information usually leads to patients asking the following questions:
How many acupuncture sessions should I schedule for the best IVF outcome?
Since 2003, various research studies have been conducted looking at the effectiveness of acupuncture during IVF cycles. During this initial study, clinical pregnancy rates increased from 26.3% to 42.5% for participants receiving acupuncture sessions before and after embryo transfer.
Many studies followed from all over the world showing similar data for both pregnancy and live birth outcomes. In other words, a single acupuncture session before and after embryo transfer has been shown to significantly improve pregnancy rates. That’s right-just two sessions led to a notable change.
When should I schedule an acupuncture session for an egg retrieval and embryo transfer?
If patients are scheduling sessions around the time of an embryo transfer, I typically recommend one acupuncture session immediately prior to the transfer and one session immediately after the transfer. Ideally, patients will schedule in the hours before and return to my office immediately following the embryo transfer. Acupuncturists generally prefer this type of session timing because this is how the research studies are designed. Similarly, I recommend that an acupuncture session is scheduled just prior to an egg retrieval, typically the evening before or first thing in the morning.
Are there any benefits to starting acupuncture for IVF before an egg retrieval or embryo transfer?
Yes! If you learning about acupuncture in the months leading up to an IVF cycle, I highly recommend that you begin treatment as soon as possible. Research shows that up to 12 weekly acupuncture sessions can improve IVF outcomes. One study published by Lee Hullender Rubin, an American researcher and acupuncturist, compared the live birth rates (as well as other significant statistics) for three IVF groups:
The first group received IVF without any integrative therapies including acupuncture
The second group received two standard acupuncture treatments, before and after an embryo transfer. These standard acupuncture protocols were already established in previous research.
The third group received WS-TCM or Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine
Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine includes a complex combination of therapies including acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, as well as other appropriate therapies. As an integrative practitioner, the inclusion of these modalities in a research study was heartening, as this is the way that I approach fertility treatment in my office every day.
Patients in the WS-TCM group had an average of 12 acupuncture treatments during their IVF cycle. The additional recommendations were made to patients based on their individualized case. As you may guess, the rates of live birth were higher in the group receiving WS-TCM.
How does modern research and classical acupuncture texts compare on their fertility recommendations?
The 12-week acupuncture recommendation established in this research study is extremely interesting given that many classical acupuncture texts recommend a three-month treatment period before trying-to-conceive. Thousands of years ago, the concept was that a woman needed this amount of time to build up various elements of qi, yin, and yang if she had experienced infertility.
I also recommend that patients schedule an initial acupuncture session at least three months prior to receiving IVF, if they have been diagnosed with a condition that may impact fertility. This list includes endometriosis, PCOS, uterine fibroids, a thyroid disorder, as well as other autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. While all of these conditions respond well to acupuncture and integrative medicine, many of these conditions take years to develop. Similarly, it takes time for them to respond well to treatment.
Dr. Weil's 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, first published in 1997, also explores the idea that it takes approximately two months to create a meaningful physiological shift in the body. Dr. Weil is a Harvard-trained physician and a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. He is also the founder of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona.
What are all the best practices for acupuncture and IVF?
Here’s the take-home message from studies on acupuncture and IVF:
If you are beginning an IVF cycle, schedule an acupuncture session sooner than later.
Plan on scheduling at least one treatment prior to an egg retrieval.
Plan on scheduling a before and after treatment around the time of your embryo transfer.
If you are doing your research in advance, there are benefits from starting a course of acupuncture three months in advance.
If you have a condition that impacts fertility directly, start treatment as soon as possible.
Find a practitioner that practices Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine. They will incorporate acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle modifications to optimize your fertility and well-being.
If you have more questions about acupuncture and fertility treatment, you may be interested in our: Acupuncture for Infertility: Frequently Asked Questions article.
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