Acupuncture is considered as an efficient means for providing support to an In Vitro Fertilisation cycle. Studies have been shown that if it is administered on the day the embryo transfer takes place, it can enhance the rates of successful implantation, increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries and regulate the release of hormones, thereby reducing stress. From the perspective of TCM, acupuncture tends to restore the normal equilibrium of the body for better reception and reaction towards assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Acupuncture is completely safe to use during an IVF cycle. Many couples are now opting for it as a means of IVF treatment in Sydney and NSW to increase their opportunities of conception. To utilise its maximum potency, practitioners often recommend for acupuncture sessions three months before an IVF cycle initiates. Not only does it help the body to prepare for implantation by stimulating the ovaries, but also produces a relaxing sensation and reduces any side-effect developed from medications. If not so early, then weekly sessions until oocyte retrieval and during the embryo transfer can also be helpful.
In order to assist an IVF cycle with the therapy of acupuncture, most practitioners follow a controlled protocol for a month prior to the embryo transfer. The chances of a successful IVF are increased by:
- Enhanced blood circulation to the ovaries and uterus
- Improved endometrium quality
- Increased reception potential of endometrium
- Better response to stimulation by release of hormones
- Alleviation of side-effects from medication that are taken to boost fertility
- Reduction of stress during an IVF progression
- Relaxation of the uterus for creating optimum conditions necessary to facilitate implantation
On the day of the embryo transfer, a session of acupuncture prior to the transfer and also after it, is often recommended, and both of them should essentially be performed by a licensed practitioner following a specific protocol. The pre-treatment will not only help to lessen possibilities of tissue inflammation and trauma, but the success rate of fertilisation gets enhanced by 42.5 per cent. After the embryo has got successfully implanted, treatment with acupuncture should be continued upto 12 or 13 weeks, for they help in stabilising the pregnancy and also support it appropriately. This is all the more important for women who have had earlier cases of miscarriages. Sometimes women complain about experiencing abdominal cramps after the oocyte transfer. Acupuncture is highly effective for subsiding this problem and for preventing any kind of ovary or abdominal abscess.
