Improve IVF Outcomes with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Written By Khaoula Abouinane, R.TCMP & R.Acu and Nelin Krull, Reg. Physiotherapist
Me (Nelin)! Near the end of my first pregnancy
Traditional Chinese medicine is a holistic medical therapy that aim to treat by bringing balance and restoring self-healing within the body. TCM has more than 2000 years of wisdom supporting fertility and childbearing using different TCM techniques such as acupuncture, Moxibustion and Herbal medicine.
As a previous fertility warrior myself, I have done the traditional western medicine methods offered by fertility clinics like cycle monitoring, sonohysterograms, blood tests, ultrasound, clomid, semen analysis, and paid the hefty pricetag that comes along with all of those procedures.
While it did result in a successful pregnancy, the Traditional Chinese Medicine methods I tried the second time around were much less painful, stressful or expensive and still resulted in a successful pregnancy.
That all being said, no two infertility cases are the same so if IVF is the route you are taking, Traditional Chinese Medicine can boost your success rate there too, so keep reading…
If you have decided this is the year you want to try to conceive, here are some ways that Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you get pregnant:
Acupuncture for Fertility
Research suggests many potential fertility- boosting effects of acupuncture, including:
Increased endorphin production which trigger the release of (GnRH) known to regulate reproduction
Increased blood flow to the uterus, which creates an optimal environment for potential implantation
Lowered stress hormones and improved relaxation which have a positive effect on fertility
Regulatory impact on fertility hormones : (FSH), (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) which results in eggs of better quality
Normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary -ovarian axis (hormone pathways)
Positive effects on reproductive conditions such as : PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), endometriosis and hormonal imbalances
TCM and Acupuncture for IVF (in-vitro fertilization)
Many trials and analyses are demonstrating better outcomes when using TCM therapies prior to and during the IVF cycle:
A European study found that 42% of women who had Acupuncture treatments conceived successfully compared to 26% without Acupuncture
Women who receive Acupuncture have a 50% lower chance of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy
Another review of seven studies concluded that women who received Acupuncture were 65% more likely to have a successful embryo transfer
Another analysis showed that the use of acupuncture resulted in higher birth rates by 30%
Many studies also support the use of Electro-Acupuncture to improve egg quality which results in better IVF outcomes
One study found that using other TCM therapies such as Moxibustion and herbal medicine in conjunction with Acupuncture was associated with higher birth rates
Additionally TCM and acupuncture can be very useful to reduce side effects from undergoing IVF such as: bloating, anxiety, abdominal distention, mood swings and stress.
Here’s what Treatment will look like:
If you are having a hard time trying to conceive or you have decided to start IVF treatment, we can help! The treatment protocol is fairly similar no matter whether you are trying to conceive on your own or are pursuing IUI (intra-uterine insemination) or IVF. Here’s what to expect…
Pre-IVF cycle/Pre-conception treatment: It is highly recommended to visit your TCM practitioner at least two cycles (two months) before your IVF cycle/conception month, for at least 8-10 sessions. In this phase, Acupuncture, herbal medicine and other modalities are used to prepare your body for your IVF cycle and ovulation
Pre-retrieval/Ovulation treatment: acupuncture, electro acupuncture is administered (1-2 time a week) to support your reproductive system for retrieval day/ovulation day
Pre-embryo transfer and post-embryo transfer treatments are helpful to support healthy implantation as are treatments sessions during the “2 week wait”
Once pregnant, further weekly treatments are used to reduce stress, improve relaxation and support a healthy and smooth pregnancy with less “morning” sickness!
Have questions? Book a FREE consultation with one of our TCM Practitioners, Khaoula or Daniela to learn how Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can support you on your trying to conceive (ttc) journey!
References :
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2003/04/decline-human-fertility-linked-global-warming-columbia-presbyterian-study-shows W. E. Paulus and M. Zhang, et al., “Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo ART,” Fertility andSterility, vol. 77, no. 4 (Apr. 2002).
R. Chang, et al., “Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility,” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 78, no.6 (Dec. 2002).
P. Magarelli, “Acupuncture in IVF linked to lower miscarriage and ectopic rates,” Ob/Gyn News (Jan. 2005)
Magarelli, P. C., Cridennda, D. K., & Cohen, M. (2009). Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment. Fertility and sterility, 92(6), 1870–1879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.10.067
Manheimer E, van der Windt D, Cheng K, et al. The effects of acupuncture on rates of clinical pregnancy among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2013;19(6):696-713. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt026