Ivf Acupuncture Treatment

IVF Acupuncture Treatment

As a woman undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, you have a lot to consider, such as find a good reproductive expert (RE), afford treatment and manage your numerous doctor appointments. Another consideration is whether acupuncture could be a worthwhile addition to your IVF protocol. While you might be familiar with how acupuncture can help with other ailments and diseases, you might not be aware of how it can benefit your attempts to build a family through IVF.

Features

Acupuncture, a healing art that has been practiced in China since the 16th century, became widely known in the United States in the 1970s. With acupuncture, hair-thin, sterile needles are placed along the body at strategic points that correspond with energy and blood flow. When these areas within the body are blocked, the needles aid in releasing the energy and blood circulation, helping tissues and organs repair and restore function and balance to the body as a whole.

Function in IVF

While acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, its use with assisted reproductive medicine is relatively recent. As of 2009, promising and reliable studies published in reputable medical journals have been conducted that show acupuncture, used in conjunction with IVF treatment, can improve the odds of success. According to Dr. Paul Magarelli, a reproductive endocrinologist in Colorado, acupuncture can improve blood circulation to the ovaries, making for healthier eggs, and to the uterus, making the uterine lining thicker and a more hospitable environment for implantation to occur.

Benefits

Benefits of acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF treatment include a lower risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies and less chance of having multiples. According to Wendy Yu, licensed acupuncturist in Los Angeles, California, "Acupuncture also has a significant impact on 'poor responders,' whose bodies do not respond well to standard IVF medications or protocols." This is good news for women with high follicle-stimulating hormone levels. The greatest benefit of acupuncture, however, is that it can increase your chance of having a live birth.

Time Frame

The timing of acupuncture treatments depends upon the individual patient. Some women, such as those prone to be poor responders, benefit from once weekly acupuncture before and while they are taking their stimulating medication. Other women might only need acupuncture immediately prior to egg retrieval and then again after embryo transfer. Factors your acupuncturist will take into consideration include previous IVF attempts and results, other health conditions that might impact your ability to get pregnant, and your age.

Considerations

Make certain the acupuncturist is licensed to practice in your state. Inquire about her experience working with women undergoing IVF, success rates and price per treatment. Since egg retrievals and embryo transfers often fall on the weekend, it's imperative your acupuncturist is available seven days a week. Check with your insurance company to see if acupuncture is a covered medical expense. RESOLVE, the National Fertility Association, has local support groups and resources available to help you locate an acupuncturist in your area.