Want to improve success rate of IVF? Acupuncture can boost chances of pregnancy

A new study says that acupuncture therapy can increase your chances of success from In Vitro Fertilisation by six per cent.

If you are looking forward to conceive anytime soon via In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), then undertaking an acupuncture therapy prior to the process may boost your chances of getting pregnant by six per cent, a new study has claimed. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of pain relieving treatment done by inserting thin needles at specific points in the body. Previous studies linked acupuncture to pain relief and weight loss.

Acupuncture stimulates the sensory nerves under the skin and muscles of the body along with an increased blood flow to the uterus, which makes it more receptive to the embryo implanting when it is transferred during IVF.(Shutterstock)

The study found that acupuncture stimulates the sensory nerves under the skin and muscles of the body along with an increased blood flow to the uterus, which makes it more receptive to the embryo implanting when it is transferred during IVF. “Acupuncture may not be entirely conventional, but there’s a growing body of evidence to suggest that it can be effective when it comes to IVF,” said Hana Visnova, Medical Director at IVF Cube in Prague, Czech Republic, in the Daily Mail.

Pervious studies have found acupuncture nearly doubles the chances of a woman conceiving with IVF. In the new study, the team analysed data from 3,271 women and nearly 4,400 cycles. Of the 4,087 cycles without acupuncture, 2,458 pregnancies were recorded, giving a pregnancy rate of 60%. Of the 301 cycles with acupuncture, there were 201 conceptions — giving a higher pregnancy rate of 66%.

Moreover, acupuncture has been proven to have a direct impact on a body’s biology, said Tereza Rakin, acupuncturist at the IVF Cube. “There’s evidence that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the uterus while producing neurotransmitters which help with pain relief. It can make the lining of the uterus more receptive to the embryo when it’s transferred, therefore aiding implantation during IVF. And the therapy can also help to relax the cervix, preventing any painful cramps and again helping with the embryo transfer,” Rakin noted.

However, the British Fertility Society say there’s no evidence that having acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine treatment around the time of assisted conception increases the likelihood of subsequent pregnancy, the report said.

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