Acupuncture and Fertility: How Traditional Chinese Medicine May Support Your Fertility Journey
Trying to conceive can be an emotional and sometimes overwhelming journey. Whether you are trying naturally or going through fertility treatment such as IVF or ICSI, many people look for additional ways to support their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture is one complementary approach that may be considered alongside conventional fertility care.
At Prodigious Hands, fertility acupuncture is personalised to the individual, taking into account menstrual health, lifestyle, emotional wellbeing and where you are in your fertility journey.
Understanding Fertility and Infertility
Fertility difficulties can affect both women and men and can have many possible causes.
These may include:
Problems with ovulation
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Fallopian tube problems
Age-related changes in fertility
Sperm quality or quantity
Hormonal factors
Unexplained infertility
Conventional fertility treatment may include medicines, surgery, intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF or ICSI depending on the underlying cause. (nhs.uk)
Acupuncture should be viewed as a complementary therapy, rather than a replacement for appropriate fertility investigation or treatment.
Fertility Through a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a whole-person approach.
Rather than focusing solely on the reproductive system, a TCM consultation considers different aspects of a person's health and wellbeing.
Your practitioner may ask about:
Your menstrual cycle
Period regularity and flow
Period pain
Ovulation
Sleep
Digestion
Energy levels
Stress and emotional wellbeing
Temperature and circulation
Previous pregnancies and fertility treatment
Within traditional TCM theory, fertility may be discussed in relation to the balance and movement of Qi and Blood and traditional patterns involving systems such as the Kidney, Liver and Spleen.
These are traditional Chinese medicine concepts and are different from the anatomical organs described in Western medicine.
How May Acupuncture Support a Fertility Journey?
Acupuncture uses very fine needles placed at carefully selected points on the body.
Treatment is personalised according to the individual's TCM assessment and may change at different stages of the menstrual cycle or fertility treatment.
People commonly explore fertility acupuncture for several reasons.
Supporting Relaxation and Emotional Wellbeing
Fertility difficulties and assisted reproductive treatment can be emotionally demanding.
Appointments, injections, scans, waiting for results and uncertainty around treatment can all contribute to stress and anxiety.
The British Acupuncture Council review you provided discusses research suggesting acupuncture may help some women manage stress and anxiety during IVF or ICSI. The HFEA similarly notes that complementary therapies such as acupuncture may be used to support relaxation and general wellbeing during fertility treatment. (HFEA)
It is important, however, not to suggest that feeling stressed is the reason someone is struggling to conceive. The HFEA states that there is no conclusive evidence that higher stress levels themselves reduce the chance of having a baby through fertility treatment. (HFEA)
Acupuncture Alongside IVF and ICSI
Acupuncture is sometimes chosen before or during an IVF or ICSI cycle.
Research has investigated acupuncture at several stages, including:
Before an IVF cycle begins
During ovarian stimulation
Around egg collection
Before embryo transfer
After embryo transfer
The British Acupuncture Council's 2019 review highlighted a 2018 meta-analysis involving 3,188 women in 12 randomised controlled trials. That analysis reported a higher live-birth rate among women receiving acupuncture during IVF or ICSI. However, the same British Acupuncture Council document emphasised inconsistencies between studies and limitations in methodology. (BACC WP Media Library)
More recent systematic reviews have also reported associations between acupuncture and improved clinical pregnancy or live-birth outcomes, but the quality of the evidence has often been rated low or very low, and studies vary considerably in treatment protocols and control methods. (PubMed)
For this reason, the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) says the evidence that acupuncture improves fertility treatment outcomes remains unclear. (HFEA)
So acupuncture should not be presented as a way to guarantee pregnancy or IVF success.
Does the Number of Acupuncture Sessions Matter?Acupuncture and Fertility: How Traditional Chinese Medicine May Support Your Fertility Journey
One interesting area of research is whether acupuncture outcomes may depend on the timing, frequency and number of treatments.
The British Acupuncture Council review discusses research suggesting that acupuncture may be dose-dependent, meaning that studies using several treatments over a period of time may produce different results from studies providing only one or two sessions around embryo transfer.
Recent reviews have also investigated treatment timing and frequency, although there is not yet an established fertility-acupuncture schedule proven to increase the chance of a live birth. (PubMed)
For this reason, treatment at Prodigious Hands is based on an individual consultation rather than promising a specific number of sessions will produce a particular fertility outcome.
Acupuncture During Ovarian Stimulation
Some research has focused on acupuncture during the ovarian stimulation phase of IVF.
The British Acupuncture Council review discusses a small 2018 randomised study of 169 women that reported differences in pregnancy outcomes between acupuncture, sham acupuncture and observation groups. However, live birth was not measured as an outcome and the researchers themselves recommended larger studies.
This is an area of continuing research rather than established evidence that acupuncture improves egg or embryo quality.
Acupuncture Around Embryo Transfer
Acupuncture around embryo transfer has probably received more attention than any other stage of IVF treatment.
Results have been mixed.
Some reviews have reported improvements in clinical pregnancy rates, whereas others have found no significant difference. The British Acupuncture Council review itself highlights these conflicting findings.
This is why it is important to look at the complete body of evidence rather than relying on one positive study.
Trying to Conceive Naturally
You do not need to be undergoing IVF to consider acupuncture.
Some people choose fertility acupuncture while trying to conceive naturally.
Treatment may be planned around the menstrual cycle and the individual's TCM assessment, while conventional investigation can identify medical causes that may require specific treatment.
If you have been trying to conceive without success, it is important to speak with your GP or fertility specialist rather than relying on complementary therapies alone.
Male Fertility
Fertility is not solely a women's health issue. Acupuncture and Fertility: How Traditional Chinese Medicine May Support Your Fertility Journey
Male factors can contribute to difficulties conceiving, including problems involving sperm count, movement or quality.
Couples experiencing difficulty conceiving should therefore consider appropriate assessment of both partners, rather than assuming the cause lies with one person.
Acupuncture can be discussed as a complementary wellbeing therapy for men as well, although it should not replace semen analysis or appropriate medical investigation.
A Personalised Approach at Prodigious Hands
At Prodigious Hands, fertility acupuncture begins with a detailed Traditional Chinese Medicine consultation.
We take time to understand:
Your fertility history
Your menstrual cycle
Previous pregnancies
IVF or fertility treatments
Current medications
Sleep and energy
Stress and emotional wellbeing
Your individual health concerns
Your acupuncture treatment is then tailored to your individual circumstances and may be adjusted as your fertility journey progresses.
If you are undergoing IVF, ICSI or another assisted conception treatment, acupuncture should be used alongside your fertility clinic's care rather than instead of it. The HFEA recommends discussing complementary therapies with your fertility clinician to make sure they are appropriate during your treatment. (HFEA)
Supporting You Through Your Fertility Journey
Every fertility journey is different.
For some people, acupuncture is primarily about having time to relax and feel supported during a demanding period. Others choose it because they are interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine or wish to complement their existing fertility treatment.
Current research into acupuncture and fertility is encouraging in some areas but remains mixed and not conclusive. It is therefore best regarded as a complementary part of fertility care rather than a treatment that can guarantee conception, pregnancy or a live birth. (HFEA)
At Prodigious Hands, our approach is to provide personalised care while supporting appropriate conventional fertility investigation and treatment.
Prodigious Hands
170 Swinton Park RoadSalford, M6 7PA
Telephone: 07767018021
Email: prodigioushands@hotmail.com
References
Aquilina L, Bovey M. Infertility IVF (2019). British Acupuncture Council. (BACC WP Media Library)
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Complementary and Alternative Therapies. (HFEA)
NHS. Infertility – Treatment. (nhs.uk)
Xu M, Zhu M, Zheng C. Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. (PubMed)
Xie ZY et al. Pregnancy Benefit of Acupuncture on in vitro Fertilization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (PubMed)
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and educational purposes only. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy and does not guarantee conception, pregnancy or a successful IVF outcome. It should not replace assessment or treatment from a GP, fertility specialist or HFEA-licensed fertility clinic.
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