Does acupuncture work for infertility?
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Erika Tabke of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Studies of the effectiveness of acupuncture as a complementary therapy to infertility treatment have shown mixed results. But that doesn't mean acupuncture doesn't work -- it turns out that it is much more difficult to study and make generalizations about acupuncture than it is to study Western Medicine.
Western Medicine is often standardized, and treatment tends to be similar from patient to patient. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), patients with the same disease often present with different 'syndrome' patterns due to individual differences - so no two people receive the same treatment. An acupuncture practitioner may choose to place the needles completely different places for different infertility patients, making it very hard to compare outcomes between them.
Thousands of women each year choose acupuncture to increase the likelihood of infertility treatment success. Studies have shown that between 10-25% of women undergoing IVF supplement their treatment with acupuncture or other alternative therapies, and research has found that a majority of women who use complementary treatments report that they are effective.
Studies of the effectiveness of acupuncture as a complementary therapy to infertility treatment have shown mixed results. But that doesn't mean acupuncture doesn't work -- it turns out that it is much more difficult to study and make generalizations... More -
Dr. Alice Domar answered:Since the first publication of a randomized controlled study in 2002 showed a significant increase in pregnancy rates in women who received acupuncture prior to and after embryo transfer, the use of acupuncture by infertility patients has skyrocketed. Although there have been no good studies yet on women not yet in IVF, the data for IVF patients is relatively positive, including the most recent meta-analysis published in January, 2012. Since the cost of pre and post embryo transfer acupuncture is about 1% of the cost of an IVF cycle, it seems reasonable to try it, especially as at least one meta-analysis showed that women who received acupuncture had a 65% greater chance of pregnancy. It is also associated with less anxiety and more optimism.
Since the first publication of a randomized controlled study in 2002 showed a significant increase in pregnancy rates in women who received acupuncture prior to and after embryo transfer, the use of acupuncture by infertility patients has... More -
More studies are needed to determine the benefits of acupuncture on infertility.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
More studies are needed to determine the benefits of acupuncture on infertility. You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice,... More
