Is it true that infertility acupuncture really increases pregnancy rates and supports IVF success?

The tests show no abnormalities, but I just can’t seem to get pregnant…” Have you encountered a situation like this? Many people undergoing infertility treatment feel troubled because they’ve tried timing methods and IVF without success. If no medical issues are found, the infertility is often considered unexplained, which can cause feelings of anxiety and thoughts like, “Maybe there’s nothing more I can do…” However, in reality, addressing “invisible factors” such as circulation, hormone balance, and stress might actually improve your chances of conceiving. One approach to consider is “infertility acupuncture” or a combination of TCM and Kampo.

It is currently attracting attention as a method that stimulates the body’s natural healing powers and supports the regulation of the mind and body from within. The combination of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and infertility acupuncture (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is expected to boost pregnancy rates and create a supportive environment for implantation by enhancing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, reducing stress, and stabilizing hormone levels. Reports indicate that acupuncture, especially on the day of implantation, can increase implantation rates by 10-20%. Acupuncture promotes the body’s natural healing capacity, and when combined with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Kampo), which aim to improve physical constitution, it supports the development of higher-quality eggs and a healthier endometrium. This makes it a highly effective approach that can improve IVF success rates.

How acupuncture supports IVF:

• Improved blood flow: Acupuncture increases circulation to the uterus and ovaries, aiding embryo implantation.
• Reduced stress: Acupuncture helps lower stress levels in women undergoing IVF and assists in preventing hormonal imbalances.
• Enhanced egg quality: Improving blood flow to the ovaries may enhance both the quality and quantity of eggs.
• Optimized uterine environment: It alleviates uterine tension, creating a more receptive environment for implantation.
• Nervous system and hormone regulation: It balances the autonomic nervous system and stabilizes hormone production.

The role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Kampo):

• Improving constitution: TCM assesses each patient’s constitution (such as coldness, qi stagnation, and blood deficiency) with the goal of fundamental improvement.
• Enhancing egg and uterine quality: Promoting improved blood circulation throughout the body supports the development of a fertile, balanced system.
• Synergistic effects with acupuncture: By physically increasing blood flow through acupuncture and moxibustion, and internally adjusting the constitution with TCM, a synergistic effect is achieved.

Examples and effects of combined approaches:

• Acupuncture on the day of implantation: It can increase implantation rates by 10-20%, warming the uterus and maximizing blood flow when the fertilized egg most likely implants.
• Ongoing acupuncture treatment: Continuous therapy for three months or more is most effective; a weekly session over several months is recommended.
• Combining acupuncture and herbal medicine: Results can be improved by integrating moxibustion, which enhances egg quality, with herbal formulas (customized to your constitution) that promote bodily warmth.

Summary:

For IVF to succeed, it is important to complement medical treatment with physical care, including acupuncture and herbal medicine. These Eastern therapies can significantly support the improvement of egg and uterine health and reduce stress, thereby increasing your chances of conception.

Example Case:

A 43-year-old woman visited our clinic, concerned about the lack of implantation after three IVF cycles.

Although the egg retrieval results were satisfactory, she was feeling down after each attempt, saying, “I don’t know what went wrong.” However, after three months of weekly acupuncture and lifestyle adjustments, she received a positive result on her fourth cycle of IVF and had a smooth delivery.

Contact us at 647-334-7440 or visit www.doctorkits.ca for assessments and treatments.