Acupuncture in IVF

There is quite a lot of research out there to support the benefits of using Acupuncture before and during an IVF cycle. Two such papers are Paulas etal who showed acupuncture virtually doubled the IVF Success rates and Stener-Victorin in Excerpta Medica - Int, Congress Series 1238, demonstrated that acupuncture had a sustained effect on improving Uterine blood flow and out come in egg collection. Increasing both pregnancy and birth rates.

 

Acupuncture during IVF provides 4 main benefits:

1. Helps a alleviate the side effects of medical treatments and improve response to hormonal stimulation.
2. Improves the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
3. Helps alleviate the tension as a result of the stress of IVF procedures.
4. Helps calm the uterus in preparation for implantation.

Acupuncture Treatment Protocol

 

If is preferable, but not always necessary for TCM treatment to start before the IVF cycle. The aim of this is to make the body as strong as possible before undergoing IVF. There is also the chance that TCM may help you conceive before you need the Cycle. Treatment may include Acupuncture and herbs.

During the IVF cycle it is then most commonly just Acupuncture which is received. Treatment is given weekly during the Down Regulation and Upcycle. It is then preferable to have a treatment prior to egg collection, then one before and after embryo transfer.

 

Down Regulation

The IVF begins by stopping your own cycle and putting you in a menopausal state. This is when you will receive drugs such as GnRH, Buserelin, Lupron or Synarel. Occasionally you will also receive Primulet to stop your cycle and Provera. Provera reduces the risk of cyst formation in the ovaries. This takes around 2-4 weeks until you have a withdrawal bleed.

 

During down regulation Acupuncture is used to:

• Calm your Shen (basically help relax you).
• Move your Liver Qi (Liver energy must be abundant and free flowing for ovulation to occur. Moving Liver Qi also lowers stress levels.)
• Tonify your Spleen (this helps increase the quality and flow of blood and energy around the body).

Up-Cycle

Gonadotrophin like drugs are used such as Gonal-F, Menopur, Follistim and Puregon. These are injected daily for 10-14 days. This strongly stimulates your follicles ready for IVF. As this cycle progresses there are often signs of bloating, fatigue, headaches, mood swings etc.

During Up-Cycle the medications are stimulating your ovaries and endometrium.

acupuncture can support this by:

• increasing circulation and
• nourishing your blood.

Ovulation Induction

Pregnyl, profasi or Novarel are given. These soften the follicles ready for ovulation. Ovulation follows approximately 36hrs later. However your eggs will be aspirated before they are released as they are easier to find.

 

Egg Collection "Ooocyte Pickup"

Fluid and eggs are removed, placed in a nutrient, graded and left for a few hours. The eggs are then mixed with sperm (or ICSIied) and incubated for around 3-5 days.

Acupuncture before transfer aims to:

• improve uterine flow,
• Calm Shen and
• relax your cervix.

It is preferable for you to receive a treatment 25mins before transfer or as close as possible.

Embryo Transfer

One or two of your best embryos are then implanted. Progesterone pessaries or gels are often given to help maintain your endometrium and or Profasi injections at 4 and 8 days after ET.

 

Acupuncture after transfer:

• gently invigorates the blood
• relaxes your uterus.
• It also encourages energy from your own body called "Pre and Post natal Qi" (this is what you give to your baby to help them start out), to nourish the foetus.

 

Again treatment is ideally given 25mins after transfer, or as close as possible. Then a treatment a few days later is preferable as it takes 2-4 days for an embryo to implant.

 

Weekly treatments may also be given in the weeks following treatment, to support your Pre and Post natal Qi. This is especially important if you have a history of miscarriage.

 

Research on Acupuncture in IVF

Increasing IVF (in-vitro fertilization) success rates. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Paulus, et al., Fertility and Sterility, Vol.77, No.4, April 2002.

 

Electroacupuncture analgesia during oocyte aspiration showed a significantly higher implantation rate, pregnancy rate and take-home baby rates. A prospective randomized study of electro-acupuncture versus alfentanil as anaesthesia during oocyte aspiration in in-vitro fertilization. Stener-Victorin E, Waldenström U, Nilsson L, Wikland M, Janson PO., Hum Reprod 14(10): 2480-4, 1999.