Books
Acupuncture and IVF – Advice to Patients
IVF Acupuncture research can be a little confusing, as much of the research has focused on treatment applied only at the time of embryo transfer. There has been quite a journey with IVF acupuncture research and while the initial studies looked at embryo transfer acupuncture, more recent research now suggests higher dose acupuncture prior to and during the IVF cycle may be of most benefit. Here we clarify what research suggests in terms of IVF Acupuncture to optimise psychological and physiological benefits. We have put together recommendations on the acupuncture treatments that may help optimise your IVF cycle by drawing on the most recent research findings (including a 2019 Meta-analysis, 2018 randomized controlled trials and 2016 Retrospective Cohort study).
Our research-based recommendations aim to clarify:
- When to start acupuncture and how many sessions may be of benefit
- Considerations surrounding Embryo Transfer Acupuncture and acupuncture in the wait between embryo transfer and pregnancy blood test.
- When to start acupuncture and how many sessions may be of benefit?
The evidence indicates that if you are going to use acupuncture it may be advisable for to have it before and during the stimulation phase of the IVF cycle. It is useful for women to consider acupuncture treatment in the menstrual cycles before their IVF cycle, or before a frozen embryo cycle to improve the uterine lining. Also……. according to the research, dose matters.
The most recent Meta-analysis showed there is a relationship between the acupuncture treatment dose and pregnancy rate. Higher dose acupuncture before embryo transfer showed a significant benefit and increased pregnancy rate. In studies where more than three treatments were performed, the clinical pregnancy rate significantly improved (N=8 / n=1595, RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.18–1.90, P=0.001) (Smith 2019).
One study by Hullender in 2015 showed that acupuncture administered to IVF patients at a dose of 9-12 treatments prior to embryo transfer is associated with more live births. Hullender analysed the outcomes of more than a thousand IVF cycles and found that women who used Chinese Medicine (acupuncture with or without herbs), had a higher live birth rate than those doing IVF alone. The proportion of live births was 61.3% in the Chinese Medicine group and 48.2% in the usual IVF care group and 50.8% in the group having acupuncture only on day of embryo transfer.
A whole systems approach is the approach we take at the Acupuncture Pregnancy clinics. While we recommend large dose acupuncture (9-12 treatments) when possible to optimise results, research suggests that even 3 or more treatments significantly improve likelihood of clinical pregnancy. We are happy to work with you where you are, and with whatever is possible and/or manageable for you J
When should I book in?
- Ideally come in 1 month before your start your IVF cycle.
- We recommend bi-weekly treatment for 4 weeks prior to IVF cycle and 2 weeks during stimulation cycle.
- Electro Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy LLLT may be used during IVF stimulation and/or prior to Frozen embryo transfer.
- Embryo transfer acupuncture considerations
Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer has significant benefit for women who have increased stress levels or who have had multiple previous IVF cycles, or where there was a low baseline pregnancy rate expectation (Smith 2018). Continuing this approach in the two-week wait is also helpful for these women to manage IVF related stress and anxiety.
- Embryo Transfer acupuncture is best be done on same day (or within 24 hours if on same day is not possible) and on site or with minimum travel.
The Acupuncture Pregnancy clinics are located adjacent to, or near IVF clinics for convenient and timely appointments.
For more information check out our website www.acupuncturepregnancy.com.au
For full list of References please go to:
https://acupuncturepregnancy.com.au/acupuncture-and-ivf-outcomes-dose-matters
Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine
Source, Eastland Press (2019)
The second edition of a series of 3 texts by Will Maclean and Jane Lyttleton, are now all updated and in one cover. Some call this the Bible or the Merck Manual of internal Chinese medicine.
Gynecology in Chinese Medicine
Source: PMPH. You Jiao Ling, Jane Lyttleton 2015
People’s Medical Publishing House is China’s preeminent publisher of texts in Science and Medicine. Recently they have released a series of texts for Chinese medicine students and doctors, written by experts in the field. This text is written by Dr You, a renowned gynaecologist, in collaboration with Jane Lyttleton.
Clean and Lean Pregnancy Guide
When author James and his wife Christiane had difficulty conceiving one of the things they decided to try was Chinese medicine. Once they succeeded in becoming pregnant it was an impetus to develop their programme of Clean and Lean diet books to Pregnancy.
It includes a section by Jane Lyttleton Click to download article
Chinese Medicine Text
Source: Elsevier Science, Jane Lyttleton, May 2013
This text, written in plain english, for doctors of Chinese medicine and other health professionals or patients interested in knowing more about treatment options, provides an accessible and thorough description of a Chinese medicine approach of female and male reproductive health. Read More →
Jade Woman Jade Man Herbals
A series of formulations (distributed in the States) based on classical Chinese herbal scripts for couples trying to conceive and other gyneacological concerns, modified to incorporate modern research findings.
If you are a TCM practitioner you can request chapters of this book here
How to Improve Your ART Success Rates: An Evidence-Based Review of Adjuncts
Infertility and Assisted Reproduction
Source: Cambridge University Press, Botros Rizk et al Ed, Nov 2008
This text on assisted reproduction technology includes a chapter on the benefits of acupuncture as an integral part of the IVF cycle.
Some good reasons why you should think about having acupuncture before and during your IVF cycle
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy ClinicThere are several good reasons why you should think about having acupuncture before and during your IVF cycle
……..or maybe why you shouldn’t !
Spoiler alert …..
If you are young, and healthy and doing IVF only because of male factor or blocked tubes, acupuncture might not benefit you as much as it could other IVF patients.
UNLESS you are feeling a bit stressed about the whole thing, then you should definitely consider it.
Here is all the latest information about Acupuncture and IVF Read More →
Acupuncture and IVF outcomes? Dose matters.
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture PregnancyThis article is a response to recently published research (Journal of American Medical Association 2018) on outcomes for IVF patients having acupuncture.
One of our practitioners (Amy Forth) discusses this study by personnel working at Western Sydney University and various IVF clinics in Australia and New Zealand into the effectiveness of acupuncture in relation to IVF success.
The trial, which recruited 800 IVF patients in many different IVF clinics, created an international media response; most articles had titles like this one (from The Conversation). “Acupuncture during IVF doesn’t increase chances of having a baby” which is quite misleading.
We would like to point out that the results of this study do not reflect clinical results, and contradict some of the other IVF and acupuncture studies published in recent years.
What this recent study shows us is, importantly, that DOSE matters!
Read More →
8 things you should know about the uterine lining, and 6 things you can do to support it
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy ClinicEmbryo Preparing to Implant
The implantation of an embryo in the uterus is a crucial early step in establishing a successful pregnancy.
Here we are talking about the first few steps of life ………
This is a hatching blastocyst, ready to find its implantation site and begin life in its new home for the next 9 months.
You can see how busy this little embryo has been just getting this far by clicking here!
Read More →
Jade Formulas Chapter 1
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy ClinicSource: Golden Mirror Publishing, USA
Jane Lyttleton
2013
The chapters in this manual describe the various Jade formulas (sold in the States); the first chapter presents in detail the herbs traditionally used in clinics in China for helping women who are having difficulty conceiving. It was written for TCM doctors in North America who use Kan formulas. These formulas are prescribed to follow closely the different stages of the menstrual cycle. While it is common to use Chinese herbal treatment in China, in the West we await further trials before any claims of efficacy can be made for fertility treatment with herbal medicine.
If you are a TCM practitioner and would like to see a PDF version of this chapter please contact ChinaBooks.
Jade Formulas Chapter 2
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy ClinicSource: Golden Mirror Publishing, USA
Jane Lyttleton
2013
Some conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian disease can impact general and reproductive health significantly. And while dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual syndrome are not considered to be conditions that might prevent conception, they will always be addressed by the TCM doctor, since they indicate internal and hormonal imbalances. This chapter describes formulas that have been used to treat these conditions, based on traditional and modern usage of Chinese herbs. Until more research is done in the west on the impact of Chinese herbs on these conditions we can make no claims as to their efficacy.
If you are a TCM practitioner and would like to see a PDF version of this chapter please contact ChinaBooks.
Jade Formulas Chapter 3
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy ClinicSource: Golden Mirror Publishing, USA
Jane Lyttleton 2013
Chapter 3; male reproductive health, whether it be related to sperm count, motility or morphology has for many hundreds of years been treated with herbal medicine in China, such formulas being based on the individual’s constitution. In the West we await further trials before claiming efficacy with herbal medicine for this condition.
If you are a TCM practitioner and would like to see a PDF version of this chapter please contact ChinaBooks.
Acupuncture during IVF doesn’t increase chances of having a baby.
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy ClinicSource; The Conversation, May 2018, C Smith, R Norman
A large study in Australia and New Zealand examined the effect of acupuncture at the time of embryo transfer, and found that compared with a group of women who received sham acupuncture, there was no benefit in terms of increased pregnancies. Other analyses have shown that women receiving acupuncture through out the IVF cycle are more likely to receive a benefit. Read More →
Tiny needles, big impact
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture PregnancySource: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age Paula Goodyer 8th June 2013
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is finding its way into the press often these days. This is because it is occurring more and more frequently especially among young women. It is one of the main causes of infertility in younger women…
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Part One
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy> Click to download PDF
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a label being given to more and more young women. Gynecologists are not yet sure what the cause of this disorder is, but its increasing prevalence is making us wonder if its something we are doing in our modern lifestyles.
Part one of this article looks at all the things that contribute to or influence PCOS. Part Two (following) looks at all the treatment options.
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Part Two
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture PregnancySource: Health Naturally Magazine, Jane Lyttleton, 1st June 2013
Treatment for PCOS is limited but researchers are actively seeking mechanisms whereby Chinese medicine can contribute.
> Click to download PDF
IVF Alternatives
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture PregnancySource: Sun Herald and Sydney Morning Herald, Paula Goodyer, December 20, 2009
Acupuncture and IVF might come from opposite sides of the medical fence, but there’s growing interest in combining them. Some studies show an improvement in pregnancy rates if acupuncture is used during an IVF cycle, says Jane Lyttleton, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who works in partnership with IVF clinics. “We need more research to understand how it works,” she says.
Adds fertility specialist Dr Gavin Sacks of IVF Australia: “On balance, the research shows there may be a benefit. Some IVF clinics have taken it up, and I think it’s worth exploring. I don’t tell women they should have acupuncture – but if they ask what they can do to improve their chances, I encourage them to try it.”
Read More →
Human egg makes accidental debut on camera
/in Articles, In the News /by Acupuncture Pregnancy ClinicRead More →