German Study Supports Acupuncture as a viable tool in increasing IVF outcomes by almost 50%  over a control group.

Key Words: Acupuncture, female infertility, in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Many National and International Publications and  Associations like BBC News, National Institute of Health and National Medical Fertility and Assisted Reproductive Associations (American Society of Reproductive Medicine,  Resolve, National Institute of Health etc.)  positively commented on the successful Acupuncture studies for IVF support.

Acupuncture 'boosts IVF success'
German researchers said they have increased success rates by almost 50% in women having in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

The theory is that acupuncture can affect the autonomic nervous system, which is involved in the control of muscles and glands, and could therefore make the lining of the uterus more receptive to receiving an embryo.

'A useful tool'

A report published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found the pregnancy rate in the group receiving acupuncture group was 42.5%, compared to the group which did not receive the therapy, where the rate was 26.3%.

The German researchers worked with doctors at the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China.

Of 160 women undergoing IVF, half (80)received standard in vitro fertilisation, while half were given acupuncture treatments before and after.

The researchers chose acupuncture points which traditional Chinese medicine says relax the uterus.

They also used Acupuncture needles to stimulate meridians to improve blood flow and create "more energy in the uterus."

Acupuncture produced relaxation, was highly credited for Acupuncture IVF success rates. (However Acupuncture does a lot more than that.) "I always say, if Acupuncture only helps women relax, then why not go on vacation for 1-2 months and get pregnant?  We saw some of our patients get pregnant in under 10 visits. Well some are luckier (healthier) than others."

The research team, led by Dr. Wolfgang Paulus and colleagues at the Christian-Lauritzen-Institut in Ulm, Germany, wrote in the journal: "Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after assisted reproductive techniques. 

Dr. Sandra Carson, president-elect of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, which publishes the journal, said: "If these findings are confirmed, they may help us improve the odds for our (in vitro fertilisation) patients' achieving pregnancy."

Here are the specifics and details of the German Study. Please keep in mind that Acupuncture works cumulatively and what makes the study look  good may not be the best in real life situation.  Our clinic and most other Acupuncture Fertility Specialists recommend a 3 month Acupuncture treatment plan (1 or 2 times a week Acupuncture treatments, depending on age and medical history and condition) for maximum benefit.

Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy.
Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, Germany.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on reproductive outcome in patients treated with IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

One group of patients received acupuncture on the day of IVF, another group on ET day and again 2 days later (i.e., closer to implantation day), and both groups were compared with a control group that did not receive acupuncture.

DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial.

SETTING: Private fertility center.

PATIENT: During the study period all patients receiving IVF or ICSI treatment were offered participation in the study. On the day of oocyte retrieval, patients were randomly allocated (with sealed envelopes) to receive acupuncture  on the day before and after  the IVF transfer. 

INTERVENTION: Acupuncture was performed immediately before and after IVF. Each Acupuncture session lasting 25 minutes; and one 25-minute session was performed 2 days later in the Acupuncture group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates in the three groups.

RESULT: Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the Acupuncture group as compared with controls (37 of 95 [39%] vs. 21 of 87 [26%] and 34 of 95 [36%] vs. 19 of 87 [22%]). The clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates in the ACU 2 group (36% and 26%) were higher than in controls, but the difference did not reach statistical difference.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture on the day of IVF significantly improves the reproductive outcome of IVF/ICSI, compared with no acupuncture.