At Almond Wellness Centre we provide acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to support fertility treatments in Melbourne, including IVF embryo transfer preparation (for both fresh and frozen embryo transfer). They are often used to address various aspects like circulation, emotional well-being, uterine lining, and may enhance the chances of successful implantation. Here’s a breakdown of how these traditional methods might be employed:
IVF Embryo Transfer Preparation with Acupuncture
Circulation: Acupuncture can improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, potentially enhancing the environment for successful implantation.
Emotional Well-being: Acupuncture is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, which are crucial factors affecting fertility. By promoting relaxation and balancing hormones, it can support emotional health during the stressful process of IVF and other fertility treatments.
Uterine Lining: Acupuncture may help thicken the uterine lining by stimulating blood flow to the uterus, creating a more receptive environment for embryo implantation.
Implantation Success: By regulating the body’s systems and reducing stress, acupuncture may enhance the chances of successful implantation.
IVF Embryo Transfer Preparation with Chinese Herbal Medicine
Circulation: Certain herbs in Chinese medicine are believed to improve blood circulation, which can positively impact reproductive organs and the uterus.
Emotional Well-being: Herbal formulas are often customised to address specific emotional imbalances, helping to reduce the extreme stress and anxiety during IVF journey, and promoting a sense of well-being.
Uterine Lining: Specific herbs are thought to nourish and support the uterine lining, aiding in its thickness and receptivity for implantation.
Implantation Success: Herbal medicine, when combined with acupuncture, aims to create a more balanced and receptive body environment for successful implantation.
Preparation Process:
Consultation: A practitioner will typically conduct a comprehensive consultation to understand the individual’s health history, current concerns, and fertility goals.
Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment, a personalised treatment plan involving acupuncture sessions and specific Chinese herbal formulas will be developed.
Timing: Treatments often begin several weeks before the embryo transfer to optimize the body’s condition for implantation.
Continued Support: Sessions might continue after the transfer to support the body during the critical early stages of embryo development.
It’s important to work with qualified and experienced practitioners who are specially trained and experienced in fertility support to ensure safety and efficacy. Integrating acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine into the preparation for IVF embryo transfer can complement Western fertility treatments. It’s also essential to discuss this approach with your healthcare provider to ensure compatibility with your overall treatment plan.
For centuries, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been trusted remedies for infertility. Today, they’re gaining recognition as adjunctive therapies alongside IVF treatments.
New Study
A recent study published in a leading scientific journal (the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics) has highlighted the positive effects of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The comprehensive review and meta-analysis, conducted by researchers Menghao Xu, Mengdi Zhu, and Cuihong Zheng, analyzed data from 25 trials involving a total of 4,757 participants.
Research Objective
The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on IVF outcomes. The researchers performed a meticulous search of various digital databases, including Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. They also reviewed the reference lists of relevant documents to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, the included studies underwent a rigorous assessment for biases based on established guidelines.
Key Findings
The analysis revealed promising outcomes. Acupuncture groups showed significantly higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared to control groups. The pooled data highlighted a clear advantage: acupuncture groups achieved a 43.6% clinical pregnancy rate and a 38.0% live birth rate, compared to 33.2% and 28.7% respectively in control groups.
Implications
Different acupuncture methods, timing of sessions, and treatment frequency positively influenced IVF outcomes. These findings underscore acupuncture’s potential to enhance IVF success and its validity as a complementary therapy.
“These findings suggest that acupuncture can play a significant role in improving pregnancy outcomes for women undergoing IVF,” explained the researchers. They also noted that placebo acupuncture was identified as a viable control measure, ensuring the validity of future studies.
Almond Wellness Centre Approaches
Dr Zeng in the IVF clinic
In light of these findings, Almond Wellness Centre, as the premier acupuncture Chinese medicine clinic in Fertility IVF acupuncture in Melbourne, places a strong emphasis on integrating of acupuncture and Chinese medicine with infertility treatments. With almost 30 years of experience, the clinic offers acupuncture Chinese medicine for IVF support. The clinic director Dr. Richard Zeng, expressed pride in their ongoing commitment to integrating acupuncture, electroacupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, which consistently yield positive results in supporting IVF.
Take Action
Ready to explore acupuncture’s benefits in your IVF journey? Contact our experienced team or visit our Coburg or Ringwood clinics. Together, we can improve your IVF outcomes and bring you closer to parenthood.
Pull quote
“According to the researchers, these findings suggest that acupuncture can play a significant role in improving pregnancy outcomes for women undergoing IVF. Moreover, placebo acupuncture was identified as a viable control measure.”
Keywords
Acupuncture, Assisted reproductive technology, In vitro fertilisation,IVF, Pregnancy rate.
Reference
Xu M, Zhu M, Zheng C. Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023 Jul 12. doi: 10.1007/s00404-023-07142-1.
Compiled from Journals, Internet, and Website resources as a tool to aid ABORM members understand the depth and breadth of Western Style research related to our fields.
Worked completed by: Diane K. Cridennda, L.Ac., FABORM, Member Board of Directors Founder/Owner: East Winds Acupuncture
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Boost IVF Success in Endometriosis Patients
In a study conducted in northeastern China, 180 women diagnosed with endometriosis undergoing IVF treatments were divided into three groups. The study aimed to determine the impact of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on IVF outcomes.
The Findings:
The acupuncture combined with herbal medicine group had notably higher pregnancy rates compared to those who did not receive acupuncture.
Among the three groups undergoing IVF, the one with acupuncture and herbal medicine showed significantly better outcomes in terms of oocyte retrieval, fertilization rates, implantation success, and overall pregnancy rates.
The patients receiving acupuncture combined with herbal medicine reported better satisfaction scores than those only receiving medicine.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of acupuncture alongside herbal medicine had a substantial positive impact on IVF outcomes for women with endometriosis. This combined approach proved more effective than solely using medicine during IVF treatments.
Diagnosed as Pre-matured ovarian failure – early menopause?
If you have been diagnosed with high Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), early menopause, or premature ovarian failure, you may have concerns about your fertility and the success of IVF.
FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of ovarian follicles, which are responsible for releasing eggs during ovulation. When FSH levels are elevated, it generally indicates that your ovaries are not responding adequately or may have diminished functionality.
High FSH levels are often associated with poor egg quality and lower conception rates, both in natural conception and in IUI/IVF cycles. Some individuals may be informed that they cannot conceive naturally, or that their IVF specialist may not be able to assist them unless their FSH levels are below 12. This is because higher FSH levels can indicate diminished ovarian function and reduced response to IVF medications.
Symptoms of high FHS
Here are some common symptoms associated with high FSH:
Irregular periods or periods stopping: Many individuals with high FSH may experience irregular menstrual cycles or notice that their periods become less frequent or stop altogether. This change in menstrual pattern can be a significant indicator that something may not be functioning optimally in the reproductive system.
Infertility: High FSH levels are often associated with difficulties in conceiving naturally. If you have been trying to conceive for an extended period without success, it may be worth considering high FSH as a potential factor contributing to your infertility.
Hot flushes and night sweats: Hormonal imbalances, including high FSH, can disrupt the body’s thermoregulation, leading to hot flushes and night sweats. These sudden waves of heat and excessive sweating can be uncomfortable and affect your quality of life.
Poor sleep: Hormonal fluctuations can disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. Poor sleep can contribute to fatigue, irritability, and other physical and emotional imbalances.
Palpitations: Some individuals with high FSH may experience heart palpitations, which are rapid or irregular heartbeats that can feel like your heart is racing or fluttering. Palpitations can be unsettling and may occur alongside other symptoms.
High FSH, what does it mean to me?
If your FSH levels are high, it suggests that the normal feedback mechanism between your ovaries and pituitary gland is disrupted. This can result in various challenges and implications for your fertility and reproductive health, including:
Poor ovarian response: High FSH levels often indicate a decreased ovarian reserve, meaning that your ovaries have a diminished number of eggs or that the remaining eggs are of lower quality. This can make it more difficult to achieve pregnancy, as the ovaries may not produce mature and viable eggs regularly.
Reduced fertility: Elevated FSH levels can negatively impact fertility, as the ovaries may have difficulty responding to the hormonal signals necessary for successful ovulation and conception. It may be more challenging to achieve pregnancy naturally, and assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) may have reduced success rates.
Implications for assisted reproductive technologies: If you are considering IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies, high FSH levels can affect the outcome of these treatments. The ovaries may not adequately respond to the hormonal stimulation used in these procedures, resulting in fewer eggs available for retrieval and a lower chance of successful fertilization and implantation.
Can acupuncture Chinese medicine reduce my FSH?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can reduce stress, improve blood flow to your ovaries, and provide more nutrients to your ovaries. Consequently improve your ovaries’ response to pituitary gland, and ovulation may happen.
Acupuncture has been used in eastern Asian countries for thousands of years and suggested as an effective approach to managing menopausal vasomotor symptoms (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25003620). It has been found effective in reducing the hot flush severity in women with breast cancer (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22906948/) and in peri-menopausal and postmenopausal women (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21653660/) . However, there has been no systematic investigation on its therapeutic effects on Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis research includes 10 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 888 patients in comparing CHM with HRT for the treatment of POF. The pooled data showed an improvement in symptomsin the Chinese Herbal Medicine group compared to that of the HRT group. FSH levels were significantly lower in patients treated with CHM compared to that of patients treated with HRT. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) observed in E2 and LH levels when CHM and HRT were compared. This research suggest Chinese herbal medicine may relieve symptoms of POF (Premature Ovarian Failure) partly through decreasing serum FSH levels. This may provide guidance for future studies. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382014000092
How do acupuncture Chinese medicine manage patients with high FSH?
Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM and acupuncture doesn’t have the concept of FSH for the obvious reason. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be beneficial for addressing symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances and fertility issues. During your consultation your Chinese medicine acupuncture practitioner may be able make a Pattern Diagnosis and treatment based on your presenting symptoms and some subtle signs, such as your pulse and tongue. While not directly targeting FSH levels, the treatment aims to regulate the body’s energy flow, enhance overall well-being, and promote reproductive health.
Benefit of Chinese medicine acupuncture
Some potential benefits reported by patients after acupuncture and TCM treatment for fertility issues include:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Alleviation of abdominal discomfort and pain
Improved sleep quality
Increased energy levels
Reduction in hot flashes
Regulation of menstrual cycles
Patients may then be qualified for IVF or have a chance to get pregnancy naturally afterwards.
It’s important to note that while individual studies and systematic reviews have shown promising results, more research is needed to establish the efficacy and mechanisms of acupuncture and Chinese medicine specifically for high FSH levels or conditions like Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Additionally, treatment outcomes can vary depending on individual circumstances, so it’s essential to consult with a qualified practitioner who can provide personalised recommendations based on your unique situation.
Chinese medicine treatment is individualised to each patient and offers an individualised treatment protocol because there are different disease patterns and syndromes differentiation, even for the same clinical condition.
Not all patients will have the same results from a treatment. If you are suffering any of the above condition or high FSH, and want to know if acupuncture Chinese medicine can be beneficial to your health, please feel free to contact us. Our senior practitioner Dr. Richard Zeng and other fully qualified registered acupuncture Chinese medicine practitioners are here to provide information and assistance. We will assess your specific condition, take into account your medical history, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
