Articles & Research

Acupuncture Helps IVF & IUI

Fertility and Sterility Volume 97, Issue 3 , Pages 599-611, March 2012 Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Patient(s)

Women undergoing IVF in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) who were evaluated for the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.

Setting

Not applicable.

Intervention(s)

The intervention groups used manual, electrical, and laser acupuncture techniques. The control groups consisted of no, sham, and placebo acupuncture.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The major outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR). Heterogeneity of the therapeutic effect was evaluated with a forest plot analysis. Publication bias was assessed by a funnel plot analysis.

Result(s)

Twenty-four trials (a total of 5,807 participants) were included in this review. There were no significant publication biases for most of the comparisons among these studies. The pooled CPR (23 studies) from all of the acupuncture groups was significantly greater than that from all of the control groups, whereas the LBR (6 studies) was not significantly different between the two groups. The results were different when the type of control was examined in a sensitivity analysis. The CPR and LBR differences between the acupuncture and control groups were more obvious when the studies using the Streitberger control were ignored. Similarly, if the underlying effects of the Streitberger control were excluded, the LBR results tended to be significant when the acupuncture was performed around the time of oocyte aspiration or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Conclusion(s)

Acupuncture improves CPR and LBR among women undergoing IVF based on the results of studies. More positive effects from using acupuncture in IVF can be expected if an appropriate control and more reasonable acupuncture programs are used.

October 10, 2015 by JiJi Cook | 0 comment

Testimonials

J. Evans – Jupiter, FL

I found Jiji Cook and Family Acupuncture after my husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for about a year and a half with no success. During this period I have had one surgery to remove a fallopian tube that had died from scar tissue and had also been diagnosed with PCOS. I had been working with a infertility doctor, had spent thousands of dollars doing fertility cycles trying to get pregnant again with no success. We had finally decided to take a break from the exhausting fertility cycles and try something less stressful.

That is when I found Family Acupuncture. After only one and a half months for treatments with Jiji I called her at 7am with the news “Jiji it is positive what do I do now!” She not only gave me the one thing I wanted more than anything but was also there for me through everything. She was able to help me through that horrible first trimester with the morning sickness, extreme tiredness and everything in-between.

All the way to the end when I was asking her to do every trick in the book to get that baby moving. Then on November 5 my beautiful healthy baby girl was born and I can not thank Jiji and Family Acupuncture enough for helping my dream of being a mom come true. I am so happy that I found her and that she was able to help me achieve the blessing of motherhood. XOXO –J.Evans from Jupiter, FL Click Here to Read More....

A.C. – Jupiter, FL

I cannot say enough good things about Jiji and Family Acupuncture! I started my fertility journey in 2014 while living in another state. I have PCOS, and after several months of unsuccessful trying, my doctor put me on Letrazole to spur ovulation. Acupuncture was not available in my hometown, and, after 5 months on Letrazole with no results, my doc suggested I consult a fertility clinic. My hubby and I had an initial consultation, but decided to put the brakes on while we moved to Florida.

Once settled, I switched doctors, and my new doc and I decided to try 3 months of Clomid before moving to more aggressive measures (IUI, IVF, etc). At the same time, I found Jiji, and booked my first session on May 26, 2015. I immediately felt comfortable with Jiji. I didn’t know quite what to expect with acupuncture (Will it hurt? Will this actually work?), but she answered my questions and talked me through everything. I have to say, it doesn’t hurt one bit, and is actually super relaxing! Jiji suggested I come to acupuncture once a week, and recommended I try an anti-inflammatory diet (no grain, no dairy) to help combat PCOS.

On June 18, 2015, I found out I was pregnant. That’s right – 4 weeks after I started with Jiji, I was pregnant. I COULD NOT believe it. My husband, doctor – even Jiji – and I thought it would take several months for me to get pregnant, and my husband and I were already gearing up mentally (and financially) for IUI. I decided to continue my once a week treatments through the first trimester, and am happy to report that I am almost at the halfway point of my pregnancy!

We are having a little girl, and I plan to continue treatments with Jiji every 2 weeks throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. So far, Jiji has been able to help me with many of the pregnancy side effects, including indigestion/stomach troubles, congestion, headaches, and sciatica. She is the BEST! I honestly believe that I would not be pregnant right now if it wasn’t for Jiji and Family Acupuncture!!! A.C. - Jupiter, FL
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J.S. – Jupiter FL

Working with Jiji has been amazing! I truly believe she’s a big part in my successful pregnancy journey. It started almost a year ago with IVF. I’m 36 with a history of endometriosis and the doctor wasn’t sure how well I would stim. Turns out with Jiji’s help I ended up stimming like an egg donor and retrieving way more healthy eggs than they anticipated.

I am successfully pregnant with my first baby due in about a month. I have had a wonderful pregnancy with Jiji’s assistance in getting me through the aches and pains. I would highly recommend her services to anyone and will continue to use her in the future. She very personable and knowledgeable. She truly is a miracle worker. – J.S. from Jupiter, FL Click Here to Read More....