Can Acupuncture Affect IVF Success Rates?

Many women who have had trouble getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term opt for IVF treatment. Studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly improve the chances of getting pregnant for women undergoing IVF treatment.

How Does Acupuncture Help?

There are several benefits of fertility acupuncture in Sacramento.  If you are undergoing IVF treatment, acupuncture can help increase your chances of getting pregnant by supporting egg quality. It helps improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, ensuring that they get enough nourishment.

Stress is among the leading causes of infertility and miscarriage. Acupuncture can help reduce stress by increasing the production of endorphins – the body’s natural pain killers. This causes strained muscles to relax.

Additionally, acupuncture regulates the body’s stress response and reduces the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, in the body. Acupuncture also helps improve sleep quality, enabling your body and mind to cope better with any side effects of IVF treatment.

When To Schedule Acupuncture Treatments: Before, During, and After an IVF Cycle?

Many experts recommend starting acupuncture three months before the IVF treatment begins. Acupuncture treatments before IVF treatment can help improve blood circulation to the ovaries and eggs and prepare the body for pregnancy.

It is recommended to schedule acupuncture weekly in the month leading up to your IVF treatment. As you start taking medicines to suppress your ovaries in preparation for stimulation, acupuncture continues to improve circulation to the ovaries.

Many acupuncturists recommend treatment one or two days before the eggs are retrieved. This helps ensure the eggs grow to full maturity. It is also suggested to receive acupuncture treatments between retrieval and embryo transfer. There are several benefits of acupuncture at this stage. It can help relax the uterus, improve circulation to the uterine lining, and relieve pain and discomfort caused by cramping, a common side effect of retrieval.

Schedule one or two treatments as soon as possible after the embryo is transferred into the uterus. You will want to schedule the first treatment on the same day or the following day and the second treatment three or four days later.

The Evidence

One study found that acupuncture can help improve blood flow to the pelvic organs by lowering the pulsatile index of the endometrial artery.

Another study reported that the study participants who received more than eight acupuncture treatments before embryo transfer benefited the most from IVF treatment.

In a recent study, women who received at least 12 acupuncture treatments in addition to IVF treatment had higher pregnancy rates than those who didn’t receive acupuncture.

Monarch Acupuncture & Wellness is a reputable acupuncture clinic in Walnut Creek.  Our team of licensed acupuncturists offers a holistic approach tailored to your specific needs. Our experts use the wellness of acupuncture to help treat patients with a wide range of services from infertility to anxiety. To schedule your appointment, click here.