Research now indicates that IVF supported by acupuncture can be up to 40-60% more successful than IVF without acupuncture support. Acupuncture to increase fertility is nothing new, it has been used for thousands of years in the Chinese medical system. Dr Lifang Liang noted in her clinical observation that after acupuncture, ultrasound showed that the colour of a women’s ovaries turned from cloudy to bright and clear, follicles increased in number, the uterine lining thickened and the number of embryos increased significantly. Acupuncture also helps to reduce stress and any nasty side effects from IVF drugs.
IVF for a lot of women is an intense and emotionally demanding process, not to mention costly with repeated failed cycles. A very common question that I get asked in clinic is, “is there anything I can do to increase the chances of this working?”. Well the answer to this question is yes. Many women do not present in clinic until a few days before embryo-transfer. From a Chinese medicine perspective however, to maximise IVF success the supportive role of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine starts well before transfer time.
Before beginning a new or subsequent IVF cycle there is a
window of opportunity of three months that a women’s fertile potential
can be increased using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This
can involve things such as regulating the menstrual cycle, encouraging
proper follicular development and thickening of the uterine lining and
promoting healthy ovulation patterns. In other words, physiological
conditions can be primed so that they are more likely to support and
carry through a pregnancy. So if you are considering starting an IVF
cycle and want to use Chinese medicine to its advantage, give yourself
this time to work with your Chinese medicine practitioner. This is also
a good time to get checked for any infections, auto-immune disease or
thyroid issues that can interfere with conception. The partners sperm
should also be checked for any abnormalities before starting fertility
treatment.
After embryo-transfer it is important to support progesterone levels, which are essential for embryo implantation and miscarriage prevention. Some women naturally do not produce enough progesterone on their own to achieve lasting pregnancy. Chinese herbs to support progesterone are typically used from egg pick up and continued until the hCG pregnancy test. If there is a positive pregnancy test they can be used throughout the entire first trimester, especially if there is a history of miscarriage. At Be Good 2 Urself Chinese Medicine these herbs are taken once daily as dissolvable granules in hot water.
Diet and lifestyle need to be addressed in order to optimise fertility. Obvious factors such as alcohol, caffeine intake and smoking need to be avoided as these factors can interfere with embryo development. A balanced lifestyle including at least eight hours of sleep a night is essential for the production of hormones involved in fertility. A diet rich in foods that supplement the blood, thicken the uterine lining and encourage healthy egg production can be helpful. These foods include organic free range chicken, beef, lamb, eggs, oysters, sea cucumber and oily fish. Important supplements include Vitamin B and iron for blood production, folate, vitamin E and fish oil. A qualified Chinese medicine practitioner can advise you specifically on a diet and particular supplements that are required based on your constitution. The focus after transfer is on rest, relaxation and proper nourishment of mother and embryo. Strenuous exercise regimes should be avoided. Gentle activities such as meditation and yoga can help to relax and reduce anxiety.
Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(Chinese medicine) with extract from, ‘Acupuncture & IVF: Increase IVF success by 40-60%’, Lifang Liang, 2003.