Acupuncture regulates cortisol and prolactin hormone levels during IVF cycles

A study that looked at whether changes in serum cortisol and prolactin are affected by acupuncture in IVF patients.

In all, 67 infertile women undergoing IVF were grouped as controls (IVF with no acupuncture) and treated (IVF with acupuncture) according to acupuncture protocols derived from randomized controlled trials.

Cortisol levels in the acupuncture group were significantly higher on IVF medication days 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 compared with controls. Prolactin levels in the acupuncture group were significantly higher on IVF medication days 5, 6, 7, and 8 compared with controls.

The researchers concluded that there appears to be a beneficial regulation of cortisol and prolactin with acupuncture during the medication phase of the IVF treatment.

Reference

Magarelli, et al. (2008) 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(6): 1870-9.