Your path to IVF success
IVF SUPPORT
Acupuncture can help release endorphins to alleviate the stress associated with the IVF process.
Acupuncture has been found to increase the success of IVF (in vitro fertilization). From a Western medicine perspective, acupuncture promotes vasodilation to increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which is important for reproductive health. Acupuncture causes the release of neurotransmitters that influence the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis to regulate ovulation and menstruation and to increase fertility. It causes the release of endorphins to help alleviate the stress associated with the IVF process.
As with any acupuncture treatment, our practitioners will do a thorough intake, feel your pulse, and look at your tongue to understand your body from a holistic point of view. We’ll then treat your individual presentation. Acupuncture for IVF support commonly includes acupuncture points in the abdomen (near to the uterus and ovaries), but points throughout the body will be used to give you the best support and best chances of success with IVF.
Acupuncture Protocols
You may have heard of a specific acupuncture protocol used to support the IVF process. It’s been found that modifying this protocol to best suit each individual produces better results. All of our practitioners know this protocol and are ready to modify it so that it’s tailored to you.
When to Get Acupuncture
There are some guidelines associated with acupuncture treatments and IVF. You’ll want to get a treatment the day before egg retrieval, the day before transfer, and after the transfer. These acupuncture treatments have been associated with increased success in IVF outcomes.
However, it’s been found that the more acupuncture treatments leading up to retrieval and transfer, the better. It’s generally recommended to start receiving weekly acupuncture treatments 3 months before starting IVF. More regular treatments increase the rates of live births.
If you’ve missed the 3 month mark already, that’s okay! Start coming to get treatment as soon as you can. All of our practitioners are trained to perform acupuncture to support IVF.
Takeaways
Acupuncture increases the success rate of IVF from the number and quality of eggs at retrieval to live births. It’s recommended to receive acupuncture a few months before starting the IVF process, but you’ll still get benefits from receiving acupuncture even if you’re in the middle of an IVF cycle. Acupuncture treatments will be tailored to you to help give you the most support.
