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Acupuncture for repeated IVF failures

On this page

  1. Overview
  2. Symptoms
  3. Causes
  4. Treatment
  5. Self-help book

1. Overview

Repeated IVF failures are reoccurring failed in-vitro fertilisation cycles. They are uncommon. Some IVF clinics consider the first IVF cycle as a try-out, where they test a woman's response to the IVF drugs on an average dose. This protocol is not commonly explained to patients, who often expect the IVF to work first time.

Undergoing an IVF cycle is emotionally, mentally, physically and financially draining. Therefore, I believe that women should be monitored closely, and drug dosages adjusted accordingly, rather than using the first cycle to test a woman's drug response.

2. Symptoms

Repeating failed IVF cycles is very draining on the body. IVF clinics will generally want a woman to wait 3 months for the body's hormones to normalise. However, some clinics are eager to try the following month. This leads many couples to keep on trying again and again without taking time out to recharge their health, which would improve the next cycle.

3. Causes

There are many reasons why IVF cycles fail, including:

For recurrent implantation failure there are about 25 different reasons for this.

4. Acupuncture for repeated IVF failures

There is a large amount of research that shows having acupuncture treatment before and during IVF can increase the chances of the IVF treatment being successful and having a successful pregnancy. Acupuncture has been shown in research to improve blood flow to the uterus and reduce implantation failure. It also regulates immune factors such as natural killer (NK) cells in the uterus lining. Studies have also shown that it can help women produce enough eggs for IVF (antral follicle count). It can even help with donor eggs.

Improving the chances of a successful IVF cycle, can be done by taking Chinese herbs and acupuncture 3-4 months before starting IVF along with an optimised diet and lifestyle.

Because of acupuncture's success in IVF, it should be given to all couples having IVF/ICSI treatment. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a fertility expert.

My animated video explains how my acupuncture treatment can help with repeated IVF failures.



5. My Fertility Guide

Read more on how to improve your fertility and IVF success rates in my self-help fertility book My Fertility Guide. Available in paperback and Kindle.

References

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Balk, et al. (2010) The relationship between perceived stress, acupuncture, and pregnancy rates among IVF patients: A pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 16, 154–157.

Benson, et al. (2006) Impact of acupuncture before and after embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization cycles: A prospective single blind randomized study. Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 86, Issue 3, S135.

Cheong et al. (2008) Acupuncture and assisted conception. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD006920.

Dieterle, et al. (2006) Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. Fertility and Sterility Vol. 85, No. 5.

Domar, et al. (2009) The impact of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization outcome. Fertil Steril; 91: 723-6.

Guo et al. (2014) Effects of Chinese herbs combined with in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation on infertility: a clinicalr andomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med; 34(3): 267-273.

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Jo, et al. (2017). Effectiveness of acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med.

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Magarelli, et al. (2005) 12th World Congress on Human Reproduction, Venice Italy. OB/Gyn News.

Magarelli et al. (2009) Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment. Fertil Steril; 92:1870–9.

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Quintero et al. (2004) A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study Evaluating Acupuncture as an Adjunct to IVF. Glendale Adventist Medical Center (GAMC) and the Eastern Center for Complementary Medicine. Fertility & Sterility; Vol. 81, Suppl. 3.

Sela et al. (2011) Acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment for women undergoing intrauterine insemination. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, Volume 3, Issue 2, e77–e81.

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Udoff, et at (2014) The effect of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in in-vitro fertilization (IVF): a randomized controlled trial. Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 102, Issue 3, e333.

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Xu et al. (2015) Effect of traditional Chinese comprehensive therapy on gestation in patients with previously failed in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. J Tradit Chin Med; 35(4): 428-433.

Youran et al. (2008) Acupuncture performed before and after embryo transfer improves pregnancy rates. Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 90, S240–S241.

Yu, et al. (2007) A Pilot Study Evaluating the Combination of Acupuncture with Sildenafil on Endometrial Thickness. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 87, Issue 4, Supplement 2, Page S23.

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Zhou, et al. (2016) Effects of "menstrual cycle-based acupuncture therapy" on IVF-ET in patients with decline in ovarian reserve. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 36 (1): 25-8.