/ Health Concerns / Fertility & IVF

IVF Support

Assisted Conception (IVF and ICSI)

Numerous studies on acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF have produced mixed and sometimes confusing results. A recent meta-analysis highlights that different treatment phases yield varying outcomes. Specifically, acupuncture administered during the ovarian hyper-stimulation phase has been associated with significantly better IVF results, including higher pregnancy and live birth rates.

Acupuncture during embryo transfer may still provide meaningful stress reduction, which is valuable during the IVF process. For optimal effects, more frequent sessions over an extended period might be necessary. Studies, such as Qian's 2016 systematic review of 30 randomized controlled trials, show that acupuncture improves clinical pregnancy rates when used during the controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation phase. Additionally, Jo's 2017 systematic review of four RCTs suggests acupuncture increases clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates while reducing the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome in women with PCOS undergoing IVF or ICSI.