ACUPUNCTURE FOR IVF
The Role of Acupuncture at Key Stages of ART/IVF
Fertility acupuncture is an excellent additional treatment to support the body in successful conception. The overall aim of acupuncture treatment therefore is to restore the body’s equilibrium.
Whatever the reason you are looking for support, if you are just at the outset of trying to conceive, if you have been trying to get pregnant for some time, if you are just embarking down the assisted pathway, or if you may have had multiple assisted experiences – acupuncture support may be an excellent way to help to bring you into better balance, wherever you may be in your fertility journey.
Acupuncture through the IVF treatment stages
Preparation phase (3 to 6 months before the IVF treatment cycle begins)
It takes 360 days for ovarian follicles to develop from the dormant stage to the ovulatory stage. During the preparation stage, regular acupuncture treatments may improve the follicular development by increasing the blood flow to the ovaries, especially in the 190 days prior to ovulation/egg retrieval.
This phase is also the perfect time to discuss with your acupuncturist about crucial lifestyle changes that can greatly influence on the success rate of the IVF treatment. Finally, acupuncture treatment can help to reduce the severity of pre-existing conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis or male factor infertility.
Pretreatment phase (up to 3 weeks before the ART/IVF treatment cycle )
This is what we call the down regulation phase. Acupuncture can help to reduce stress and relieve some of the medications’ side effects. It may also recruit more follicles for the treatment cycle.
Ovarian stimulation phase
This is the phase when women inject a high dose of FSH in order to produce more than one egg. Acupuncture may help to enhance the ovarian response to medication. It also helps to develop the endometrial lining.
Ovulation trigger and final egg maturation
This is when the woman inject the “trigger” medication which helps the follicles to grow further and the eggs within them to mature. Acupuncture helps in this phase so more mature eggs that can potentially be retrieved.
Embryo transfer
Treatments before and after the transfer may increase significantly the success rates of IVF.
Luteal phase
During this phase, acupuncture help with stress levels.
Early pregnancy
At this stage, acupuncture helps to prevent miscarriage.
If you’re interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine to support your IVF journey, get in touch to discuss a treatment plan that works for you.