Assisted IVF Support
Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto specialises in treating infertility and is a member of the British Fertility Society. Most clinical trials to date suggest that acupuncture may be useful in the embryo transfer stage of in vitro fertilisation, and results in an increased pregnancy rate and a greater number of live births (Cheong 2008, Manheimer 2008, Kong 2009, Chen 2009, Smith 2006, Westergaard 2006).
Acupuncture for women during IVF
I use acupuncture to support women through all the different phases of IVF. Dr (TCM) D'Alberto recommends that patients begin their treatment a month in advance of starting their IVF drugs or at the very least when they start the drugs.
Acupuncture can help in the treatment of infertility by:
- Regulating fertility hormones - stress and other factors can disrupt the function of the hypothalamic pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA). Acupuncture promotes the release of beta-endorphin in the brain, which regulates gonadatrophin releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, follicle stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland, and oestrogen and progesterone levels from the ovary (Anderson 2007).
- Increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs (Ho 2009, Anderson 2007), which can improve the thickness of the endometrial lining, so increasing the chances of embryo implantation.
- Increasing egg production (Jin 2009) and improving oocyte quality (Chen 2009) which could increase the chance of fertilisation.
- Enhancing luteal function (Huang 2009).
- Regulating follicle stimulation hormone-receptor expression (Jin 2009).
- Normalising cortisol and prolactin levels on IVF medication days (Magarelli 2008).
- Reducing stress (Anderson 2007).
- Promoting embryo implantation (Liu 2007).
Contact Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto to discuss your condition.
Acupuncture during the first few weeks of pregnancy
Once a positive pregnancy test is achieved, Dr (TCM) D'Alberto recommends patients continue coming for acupuncture until their nuchal scan at the end of the first trimester. Acupuncture has immune modulating effects which are important in reducing rejection of the embryo by the mother’s immune system during the first few days of pregnancy as the embryo implants. Acupuncture also increases blood flow to the uterus and newly forming placenta which is particularly important if there are clotting factor problems. Treatment generally aims to support the pregnancy and treat any problems that may arise such as nausea, vomiting, and fatigue and prevent any possible miscarriage. Dr (TCM) D'Alberto also uses a specialised, ancient Chinese herbal formula to reduce the risk of a miscarriage occuring. Over 90% of woman taking this specialist herbal medicine go on to deliver a healthy baby.
Acupuncture for men during IVF
Men should take steps to improve the quality of their sperm months before the IVF process, for example not drinking alcohol or spicy food, wearing loose fitting underwear and not putting a laptop on their lap. If a sperm test highlightes problems with the sperm, Dr (TCM) D'Alberto uses Chinese herbal medicine to improve this.
During the IVF process it is recommended that men have an acupuncture treatment before their sperm is collected. Sometimes the pressure and anxiety to produce a sample on the day of egg collection is enough to cause a problem.
Beyond IVF
If you have had a number of failed IVF attempts then it is worth considering the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to enhance your reproductive health before embarking on another round of IVF. Or if IVF is no longer an option for you then acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can offer another way of approaching and treating infertility.
Contact Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto to discuss your condition.
References
Anderson et al. In vitro fertilization and acupuncture: clinical efficacy and mechanistic basis. Altern. Ther. Health Med. 2007;13(3):38-48
Chen J et al. Effects of A randomised controlled trial to observe the effect of electroacupuncture on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) of patients with poor ovarian response.[Chinese] Zhongguo Zhenjiu 2009;29:775-9.
Cheong YC, Hung Yu Ng E, Ledger WL. Acupuncture and assisted conception. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD006920. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006920.pub 2.
Cheong Y et al. Acupuncture and herbal medicine in in vitro fertilisation: a review of the evidence for clinical practice. Hum Fertil 2010 Jan 7. [Epub ahead of print]
Ho M et al. Electroacupuncture Reduces Uterine Artery Blood Flow Impedance in Infertile Women. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2009;48:148-51.
Huang HDJ, Zhang MM. Effects of acupuncture on the luteal function of rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation. Zhongguo zhen jiu 2009;29:910-3.
Jin CL et al. Increased Oocyte Production after Acupuncture Treatment during Superovulation Process in Mice. Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2009;20:35-44.
Kong S, Hughes A. Acupuncture as an adjunct to in vitro fertilization: A randomized trial. Medical Acupuncture 2009;21:179-82.
Liu XY et al. Preliminary study on the mechanisms of acupuncture in promoting embryo implantation in rats [Article in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2007;27:633-6.
Manheimer E et al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2008;336(7643):545-9.
Magarelli PC et al. Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment. Fertil Steril 2008; 92(6):1870-9.
Smith C et al. Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer. Fertil Steril. 2006; 85(5):1352-8.
Westergaard LG et al. A randomised controlled trial that evaluated the effect of acupuncture on reproductive outcome in 273 women improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial. Fertil Steril 2006;85:1341-6.