IVF Support

Acupuncture helps by

By regulating fertility hormones - stress and other factors can disrupt the function of the hypothalamic pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA), causing hormonal imbalances that can negatively impact fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to affect hormone levels by promoting the release of beta-endorphin in the brain, which affects the release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone by the hypothalamus, follicle stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland, and oestrogen and progesterone levels from the ovary (Ng 2008, Huang 2008, Lim 2010, Stener-Victorin 2010). Further details of these processes are emerging, for example mRNA expression of hormones, growth factors and other neuropeptides (He 2009)

By increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs - stress also stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which causes constriction of ovarian arteries. Acupuncture inhibits this sympathetic activity, improving blood flow to the ovaries (Stener-Victorin 2006, Lim 2010), enhancing the environment in which ovarian follicles develop.

It also increases blood flow to the uterus (Stener-Victorin 1996, Huang 2008), improving the thickness of the endometrial lining and increasing the chances of embryo implantation.

If you have PCOS and going through IVF - Acupuncture counteracts the effects of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. By reducing sympathetic nerve activity and balancing hormone levels, acupuncture has been shown to reduce the number of ovarian cysts, stimulate ovulation, enhance blastocyst implantation and regulate the menstrual cycle in women with PCOS (Stener-Victorin 2000, 2008, 2009, Zhang 2009). It may also help to control secondary effects such as obesity and anorexia (Lim 2010).

If you are going through an IVF cycle, it's best if you can start acupuncture 8 to 10 weeks prior to Embryo transfer. The most important times to have acupuncture are the same as above, however, once you begin your stimulation medications you may need couple of extra sessionsdepending upon information gathered from your ultrasounds.

It would be helpful to have acupuncture 3 months prior to conception/transfer as supports follicles growth, addresses lining irregularities, helps reduce stress, and addresses side effects of the IVF medications such as headaches, tiredness, and nausea etc.

Acupuncture increases blood flow in the body which nourishes every cell and internal organs of the body. Acupuncture also helps to regulate and balance the hormones by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is central to the treatment of the fertility.