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[Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical practitioner. Any medical information is strictly my opinion based on research and personal experience, and not to be taken as advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed physician for your medical needs. Read my full disclaimer here.]
First things first: What is acupuncture, anyway? Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is an alternative treatment for infertility (among other things). So is acupuncture worth trying? Does acupuncture really increase fertility and your odds of getting pregnant?
The short answers:
—Medical research: Maybe. Although studies are somewhat mixed, in many of them it has been shown to improve fertility (see below for more details). Research has shown that it seems to be especially helpful/worth trying when “unexplained infertility” is the diagnosis. Acupuncture works to help promote blood flow, possibly correcting a “cold uterus” — see more about “cold uterus” from my post here. See the research details below!
—My experience: I haven’t tried it…but would like to.
–How to do it: Various studies have recommended varying frequencies of acupuncture (one study showed doing it after an embryo transfer actually had detrimental effects). Definitely consult with your doctor first about acupuncture and whether it will increase your odds of fertility!
Continue reading below if you’re interested in finding out more details (the long answers)…
*Or, click here for more answers to your other TTC questions!
Now, for the long answers…
The medical research
–First, in this study by Cochrane, 28 women were treated for infertility with lifestyle changes (diet & exercise) and 28 were treated with lifestyle changes AND acupuncture. While the same percentage conceived from both groups, the group with acupuncture did in 5.5 weeks (average) and the other group did in 10.67 weeks (average). Worth noting: The acupuncture group reported little to no side effects…a few women reported slight bruising or headaches.
–Second, in this study by Paulus, 80 women undergoing IVF were given acupuncture, and another 80 women undergoing IVF were not. The study found that 42.5% of women given acupuncture got pregnant, while 26.3% in the other group did.
–Third, in a study by Westergaard, 100 IVF patients did acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer, 100 did acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer AND 2 days later, and another group did no acupuncture. Results: 39% of acupuncture group had successful IVF, 36% of 2 times acupuncture group did, and no acupuncture 24%.
–However, Domar points out that in that same medical study, the pregnancy loss was 15% (acupuncture), 33% (acupuncture x2), and 21% (nothing). He argues that acupuncture may be having a placebo effect.
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