applied fertility & ivf support acupuncture
Acupuncture therapy intended to improve the reproducing potential of both woman & man is defined as Fertility Acupuncture. The same therapy when goes along with a conventional assisted or natural reproduction cycle ( Ex: IVF), it is termed as IVF Support Acupuncture. Though the reference names are different in both, the intention of the therapy remains the same.i.e. to support the reproduction process of the couple.
FERTILITY & IVF SUPPORT ACUPUNCTURE - beneficiaries
Acupuncture can help people at all stages of the fertility process.
Even women who aren't actively trying to conceive can do fertility acupuncture to help with their period, such as painful periods due to endometriosis or women with PCOS.
Fertility acupuncture is for women:
👉with mental & physical stress
👉in sexual disorders
👉with painful periods (endometriosis)
👉with PCOS (irregular periods)
👉trying to get pregnant naturally
👉in fertility treatment (IUI or IVF)
👉in early pregnancy
👉at any stage of pregnancy
Fertility acupuncture is for men:
👉with lack of sexual interest(libido)
👉with mental & physical stress
👉with oligospermia
👉in sexual disorders
👉in early stages of conception
Even women who aren't actively trying to conceive can do fertility acupuncture to help with their period, such as painful periods due to endometriosis or women with PCOS.
Fertility acupuncture is for women:
👉with mental & physical stress
👉in sexual disorders
👉with painful periods (endometriosis)
👉with PCOS (irregular periods)
👉trying to get pregnant naturally
👉in fertility treatment (IUI or IVF)
👉in early pregnancy
👉at any stage of pregnancy
Fertility acupuncture is for men:
👉with lack of sexual interest(libido)
👉with mental & physical stress
👉with oligospermia
👉in sexual disorders
👉in early stages of conception
FERTILITY & IVF SUPPORT ACUPUNCTURE - acu points to remember
Clinical Approach : All functional specific points & All local Points from umbilicus till mid thighs anterior & posterior
Classical Approach : Spleen Points & Kidney Points
Other Modalities : Stress Management Points (Ex: Shenmen Ear Point, P6 Point) , Special Foods
NATURAL FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE - targetted requisties for successful outcome
👉Effective management of physical & mental stress of both male & female partners
👉Improvement in Libido achieved in both partners
👉Management of Sexual disorders
👉Management of Sperm Quality, Count & Morphology
👉Painful periods should be eased
👉Regularised Periods to be achieved
👉Motivation to get pregnant naturally
👉Improvement in Libido achieved in both partners
👉Management of Sexual disorders
👉Management of Sperm Quality, Count & Morphology
👉Painful periods should be eased
👉Regularised Periods to be achieved
👉Motivation to get pregnant naturally
IVF ACUPUNCTURE - TARGETTED REQUISTIES FOR SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME
👉Neuro Endocrinological Balance
👉Improved Blood Flow in Lower Abdomen
👉Relaxed Uterus Muscles
👉Effective management of physical stress of male partner during procedures like Sperm Collection
👉Effective management of mental & physical stress of female partners during procedures like Stimulation Injections, Egg Collection, Ultrasound Checks, Embryo Transfer and After transfer Checks and till delivery
👉Improved Blood Flow in Lower Abdomen
👉Relaxed Uterus Muscles
👉Effective management of physical stress of male partner during procedures like Sperm Collection
👉Effective management of mental & physical stress of female partners during procedures like Stimulation Injections, Egg Collection, Ultrasound Checks, Embryo Transfer and After transfer Checks and till delivery
CLINICAL APPROACH
NATURAL CONCEPTION
👉Effective management of physical & mental stress of both male & female partners : P6, HT3, Yin Tang, LI4, LR3
👉Improvement in Libido achieved in both partners: CV6, DU20, ST30, KD7, KD1, SP4, SP6
👉Management of Sexual disorders for both Male & Female : KD 3, BL23, DU4, HT7, P6
👉Management of Sperm Quality, Count & Morphology (for Male Partner) :SP3, SP6, SP9
👉Painful periods should be eased : LI4, LR3, GB21
👉Regularised Periods to be achieved: CV2, CV5, CV6, ST30
👉Motivation to get pregnant naturally: DU20, Yin Tang, LI11, LI4, CV12, CV6, ST36, SP6, KD3, LR3
👉Improvement in Libido achieved in both partners: CV6, DU20, ST30, KD7, KD1, SP4, SP6
👉Management of Sexual disorders for both Male & Female : KD 3, BL23, DU4, HT7, P6
👉Management of Sperm Quality, Count & Morphology (for Male Partner) :SP3, SP6, SP9
👉Painful periods should be eased : LI4, LR3, GB21
👉Regularised Periods to be achieved: CV2, CV5, CV6, ST30
👉Motivation to get pregnant naturally: DU20, Yin Tang, LI11, LI4, CV12, CV6, ST36, SP6, KD3, LR3
IVF / ASSISTED CONCEPTION
👉Neuro Endocrinological Balance : HT3, HT7
👉Improved Blood Flow in Lower Abdomen : All Local points in the Abdomen & Inner Thighs
👉Relaxed Uterus Muscles : All Local points in the Abdomen & Lower Back
👉Effective management of physical stress of male partner during procedures like Sperm Collection : DU20, Yin Tang, LI11, LI4, CV12, CV6, ST36, SP6, KD3, LR3
👉Effective management of mental & physical stress of female partners during procedures like Stimulation Injections, Egg Collection, Ultrasound Checks, Embryo Transfer and After transfer Checks and till delivery : DU20, Yin Tang, LI11, LI4, CV12, CV6, ST36, SP6, KD3, LR3 (LI4, SP6 Stimulation to be stopped post E.T.)
👉Improved Blood Flow in Lower Abdomen : All Local points in the Abdomen & Inner Thighs
👉Relaxed Uterus Muscles : All Local points in the Abdomen & Lower Back
👉Effective management of physical stress of male partner during procedures like Sperm Collection : DU20, Yin Tang, LI11, LI4, CV12, CV6, ST36, SP6, KD3, LR3
👉Effective management of mental & physical stress of female partners during procedures like Stimulation Injections, Egg Collection, Ultrasound Checks, Embryo Transfer and After transfer Checks and till delivery : DU20, Yin Tang, LI11, LI4, CV12, CV6, ST36, SP6, KD3, LR3 (LI4, SP6 Stimulation to be stopped post E.T.)
CLassical APPROACH
In this approach, we don't specifically treat any condition. Instead we treat the whole person. Patients suffering from infertility are known to have energy imbalance in Spleen & Kidney. So it is recommended to strengthen the same regularly. It is suggested that pulse balancing is done at least fortnight once in Fertility Acupuncture.
OTHER MODALITIES
For all fertility patients, it is recommended to include both clinical & classical ways together and also add few supportive measures to increase the chances of success.
Ear Shenmen Point Acupressure with Bead or Seed Stimulation (Throughout the Treatment Period)
Inclusion of 50gms of Dry Fruits & Nuts in daily diet (Throughout the Treatment Period & till postpartum)
Ear Shenmen Point Acupressure with Bead or Seed Stimulation (Throughout the Treatment Period)
Inclusion of 50gms of Dry Fruits & Nuts in daily diet (Throughout the Treatment Period & till postpartum)
treatment time recommendations
For Best Results, Start Treatment Sessions as follows:
Natural Conception : Treat for Minimum 3 Months & then check for 3 period cycles along with therapy
IVF: Best to start 3 months before egg collection.
Natural Conception : Treat for Minimum 3 Months & then check for 3 period cycles along with therapy
IVF: Best to start 3 months before egg collection.
SESSION DURATION - NUMBER OF NEEDLES & FREQUENCY
40-60 Minutes with 15-20 Needles weekly thrice minimum
FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE - RESEARCH REFERENCES
Fertility Acupuncture was researched in the 2002 Paulus study, in which 160 patients took part in a randomized control trial with no placebo in order to assess whether acupuncture affected embryo transfer success rates.
These patients all had good quality embryos and were randomized into two groups.
One group had acupuncture 25 minutes before their embryo transfer and then again 25 minutes afterward while the second group had no acupuncture at all throughout their embryo transfer cycle.
IVF Acupuncture Protocol Points - Embryo Transfer
Acupuncture locations for before & after embryo transfer - Paulus Study
Before Embryo TransferAfter Embryo TransferEar points*
Cx6 (Neiguan)S36 (Zusanli)ear point 55 (Shenmen)
Sp8 (Diji)Sp6 (Sanyinjiao)ear point 58 (Zhigong)
Liv3 (Taichong)Sp10 (Xuehai)ear point 22 (Neifenmi)
Gv20 (Baihui)Li4 (Hegu)ear point 34 (Naodian)
S29 (Guilai)
This is the embryo transfer acupuncture protocol used in the Paulus 2002 IVF study. *The ear locations were targeted in both the pre- and post-embryo transfer sessions. Two needles were placed in each ear during a single session. Locations were then alternated between sessions.
The study resulted in a 42.5% clinical pregnancy rate for the acupuncture group and a 26.3% clinical pregnancy rate for the non-acupuncture group.
Since this study came out, there has been further research and clinical trials on the effect of acupuncture on IVF success rates.
Results are not conclusive, more studies are needed on acupuncture & IVF
A 2012 systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized control trials including nearly 6,000 patients looked at whether acupuncture significantly affects IVF outcomes.
The authors concluded that the clinical pregnancy rates were significantly improved in patients that had fertility acupuncture versus the control groups.
The study noted that live birth rates were also significant in the acupuncture groups but only when the Streitberger control was not used, one of the 4 control methods used by some of the studies.
The Streitberger control involved blunt needling of fertility acupuncture points or points nearby. It was theorized that this may not have been an optimal control to use as this method still could have had an effect on fertility acupuncture points, perhaps through acupressure.
So, further large randomized control trials are needed to confirm any significant difference acupuncture may have on IVF outcomes.
An article published in the same journal, Fertility & Sterility, commented on this systematic review stating that several variables varied too widely between the studies to be effectively analyzed, such as timing during the IVF cycle for when acupuncture was done, the method of control used, acupuncture methods, etc. and a placebo effect cannot be ruled out.
More recently, a trial published in 2018 was done in Australia & New Zealand that randomized over 800 women undergoing IVF to either the acupuncture or control (sham acupuncture) group and found that there was no significant different in live birth rates or clinical pregnancy rates.
However, the authors acknowledged that the control group had significantly more blastocyst-stage transfers compared to the acupuncture group. This could have affected the results, as blastocyst-stage transfers are known to have a higher pregnancy success rates compared to earlier stage embryo transfers.
The research on acupuncture and IVF success rates:
👉Some studies have shown a significant improvement in IVF success rates among women who did acupuncture
👉Not all studies used the same method for the control group, making it difficult to compare trials
👉A placebo effect cannot be ruled out at this time
👉Further studies with standardized control groups & timing of acupuncture are needed
Acupuncture may provide a psychological benefit during the IVF process
While it’s not yet clear whether acupuncture can improve the success of your embryo transfer, Psychological benefit can also be a reason for many fertility patients for choosing to do acupuncture
A 2020 research paper interviewing IVF patients participating in a randomized control trial for acupuncture effects on IVF found that while women weren’t sure acupuncture actually affected their treatment outcome, they felt that the acupuncture sessions provided a psychological benefit.
Some patients felt acupuncture helped them feel like they were doing something extra in their power to help their treatment.
Others perceived the benefits of the sessions were helping them to relax, feel more positive, and allowed them to take some time to themselves while laying in the silence for those 30-45 minutes on the table.
These patients all had good quality embryos and were randomized into two groups.
One group had acupuncture 25 minutes before their embryo transfer and then again 25 minutes afterward while the second group had no acupuncture at all throughout their embryo transfer cycle.
IVF Acupuncture Protocol Points - Embryo Transfer
Acupuncture locations for before & after embryo transfer - Paulus Study
Before Embryo TransferAfter Embryo TransferEar points*
Cx6 (Neiguan)S36 (Zusanli)ear point 55 (Shenmen)
Sp8 (Diji)Sp6 (Sanyinjiao)ear point 58 (Zhigong)
Liv3 (Taichong)Sp10 (Xuehai)ear point 22 (Neifenmi)
Gv20 (Baihui)Li4 (Hegu)ear point 34 (Naodian)
S29 (Guilai)
This is the embryo transfer acupuncture protocol used in the Paulus 2002 IVF study. *The ear locations were targeted in both the pre- and post-embryo transfer sessions. Two needles were placed in each ear during a single session. Locations were then alternated between sessions.
The study resulted in a 42.5% clinical pregnancy rate for the acupuncture group and a 26.3% clinical pregnancy rate for the non-acupuncture group.
Since this study came out, there has been further research and clinical trials on the effect of acupuncture on IVF success rates.
Results are not conclusive, more studies are needed on acupuncture & IVF
A 2012 systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized control trials including nearly 6,000 patients looked at whether acupuncture significantly affects IVF outcomes.
The authors concluded that the clinical pregnancy rates were significantly improved in patients that had fertility acupuncture versus the control groups.
The study noted that live birth rates were also significant in the acupuncture groups but only when the Streitberger control was not used, one of the 4 control methods used by some of the studies.
The Streitberger control involved blunt needling of fertility acupuncture points or points nearby. It was theorized that this may not have been an optimal control to use as this method still could have had an effect on fertility acupuncture points, perhaps through acupressure.
So, further large randomized control trials are needed to confirm any significant difference acupuncture may have on IVF outcomes.
An article published in the same journal, Fertility & Sterility, commented on this systematic review stating that several variables varied too widely between the studies to be effectively analyzed, such as timing during the IVF cycle for when acupuncture was done, the method of control used, acupuncture methods, etc. and a placebo effect cannot be ruled out.
More recently, a trial published in 2018 was done in Australia & New Zealand that randomized over 800 women undergoing IVF to either the acupuncture or control (sham acupuncture) group and found that there was no significant different in live birth rates or clinical pregnancy rates.
However, the authors acknowledged that the control group had significantly more blastocyst-stage transfers compared to the acupuncture group. This could have affected the results, as blastocyst-stage transfers are known to have a higher pregnancy success rates compared to earlier stage embryo transfers.
The research on acupuncture and IVF success rates:
👉Some studies have shown a significant improvement in IVF success rates among women who did acupuncture
👉Not all studies used the same method for the control group, making it difficult to compare trials
👉A placebo effect cannot be ruled out at this time
👉Further studies with standardized control groups & timing of acupuncture are needed
Acupuncture may provide a psychological benefit during the IVF process
While it’s not yet clear whether acupuncture can improve the success of your embryo transfer, Psychological benefit can also be a reason for many fertility patients for choosing to do acupuncture
- to take advantage of an additional outlet that may help improve their chance of pregnancy
- to reduce stress levels during treatment
A 2020 research paper interviewing IVF patients participating in a randomized control trial for acupuncture effects on IVF found that while women weren’t sure acupuncture actually affected their treatment outcome, they felt that the acupuncture sessions provided a psychological benefit.
Some patients felt acupuncture helped them feel like they were doing something extra in their power to help their treatment.
Others perceived the benefits of the sessions were helping them to relax, feel more positive, and allowed them to take some time to themselves while laying in the silence for those 30-45 minutes on the table.
