When it comes to fertility treatments there are a lot of couples seeking all the available benefits in order to increase their success rate. A blending of acupuncture and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is one of the more usual procedures that are becoming popular. However, is acupuncture able to increase your probability of conceiving during an IVF treatment?
In this blog, we will look at how acupuncture is supposed to be done, what science says about it, and the possibility of it being the appropriate supplementary treatment to you when you visit The Axelrad Clinic.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture refers to the process used in traditional Chinese medicines that entail usage of slender sterile needles into set bodily locations. It is believed to normalize the flow of energy (also called as Qi) and to provide harmony in the body.
The modern understanding of the effect that acupuncture has on the human body has established that it can affect the nervous system and stimulate blood circulation as well as balance the hormones which all play a big part in the process of achieving fertility.
The Role of Acupuncture in promoting Success in IVF.
Acupuncture might be useful when combined with IVF in the following ways:
- Better Blood Supply of the Uterus and the Ovaries
Acupuncture aids in dilation of blood vessels and circulations. This augmented blood circulation to reproductive organs will arguably present a better condition to embryo implantation and growth.
- Hormonal Regulation
Acupuncture has been demonstrated to regulate the hormones such as FSH, LH and estrogen. These hormones are very crucial in the ovulation process, the growth of the egg as well as the maturation of the endometrial lining that are central in the success of IVF.
- Less stress and anxiety
IVF procedure may be stressful both emotionally and physically. The extreme stress activity can adversely affect fertility. Acupuncture is well known to be soothing and decrease cortisol levels and so keeps patients calm during the IVF processes.
- This Enhances Sperm and Egg Quality.
Some researchers indicate that acupuncture aids in improving egg quality as well as male fertility due to improvement in sperm count and motility, thus, is useful to couples with various fertility problems.
What Do the Research Literature Say?
Some clinical trials have been conducted to determine the relationship between acupuncture and IVF success rates. A 2002 study published in Fertility and Sterility indicated that women undergoing acupuncture prior to and subsequent to embryo transfer had considerably high rates of pregnancy than those women who did not.
But there are other studies that do not reveal such dramatic results. Other research providers show an incremental change being slight, whereas some show no difference. Nevertheless, quite a number of fertility clinics are opting to prescribe acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment as it carries little risk and might have emotional and physical benefits.
At what Age should you begin Acupuncture?
To get the best results, fertility acupuncturists usually tell their patients to start the acupuncture regimen 3 months before the IVF cycle so that they can get the reproductive system of the body at its best. Nevertheless, beginning several weeks prior to embryo transfer could also be helpful, at least in terms of stress reduction and improvement of the uterus blood flow.
The ideal practitioner should be an experienced fertility-oriented licensed acupuncturist who has experience helping IVF patients.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, do acupuncture and IVF improve your pregnancy chances? Though it is unlikely to become the most effective action, acupuncture has a number of potential benefits that will be able to help you on the entire journey towards fertility. The advantages range as far as clearer hormonal balance, lower anxiety and it is non-invasive meaning you can consider it as a natural therapy.
Whether you are going through IVF or planning an IVF, approach your fertility doctor and discuss the possibility of using acupuncture to supplement your treatment, as it may give your body and mind what it requires.
