At the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, researchers are delving deep into the mysteries of acupuncture for treating asthma. Their work could lead to a breakthrough anti-asthma medication targeting specific acupuncture points on the back. But what really goes on at the molecular level behind this ancient therapy?
Deciphering Acupuncture’s Effects
In the latest issue of “Science Translational Medicine” from February 8, 2018, Professor Yang Yongqing and his team showcased remarkable progress after nearly a decade of studying acupuncture’s impact on asthma and identifying potential targets.
Their research not only uncovered new targets through clinical trials but also shed light on how acupuncture triggers various protein reactions in the body. They even found promising molecules mimicking acupuncture’s effects, possibly evolving into versatile “acupuncture drugs.”
Editorial Acclaim
The editor-in-chief of “Science” praised these findings, marking a milestone for traditional Chinese medicine. It’s the first time such practitioners have published original scientific work with independent rights in a specialized journal. It’s also the first confirmation of a new asthma target by Chinese scientists.
Traditional Wisdom Meets Modern Science
Asthma, commonly treated with medications, often comes with side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine, however, has long relied on acupuncture at specific points to improve respiratory function in patients like Shao Jingming did. This wisdom, refined over decades, still holds promise today.
How Acupuncture Works For Asthma
Professor Yang’s team dug into how acupuncture helps asthma. Using mouse models, they honed in on Metallothionein-2 (MT-2) as crucial in alleviating symptoms. By understanding its interaction with Transgelin-2, they revealed how acupuncture eases breathing.
Pioneering New Treatments
Their study also uncovered potential “acupuncture drugs.” Collaborating since 2003, they identified molecules with bronchial-dilating properties similar to acupuncture. These could be the next wave of anti-asthma medications, bridging traditional and modern medicine.
New Frontiers in Asthma Care
Targeting Transgelin-2 offers fresh solutions for asthma treatment, as highlighted by “Science” reviewers. This approach ensures China’s leadership in acupuncture research, blending traditional wisdom with modern technology. Ultimately, acupuncture and its derived drugs offer a holistic approach to asthma treatment.
Chemotherapy can sometimes lower your platelet count, which increases the risk of bleeding and other complications. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for centuries to treat various health issues, including low platelet counts. Some scientific evidence suggests that these herbs might help boost platelet counts during chemotherapy, but more research is needed.
How Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Help?
Our registered Chinese medicine practitioners will assess your overall health and make a Pattern Diagnosis based on Chinese medicine principles. They will then recommend an herbal formula and treatment plan tailored to the severity of your low platelet count.
You can use Chinese herbal medicine alongside other treatments, but always under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Research and Reviews
Shen Cao Granules Study: This study found that Shen Cao granules helped reduce low platelet counts in chemotherapy patients with gastrointestinal cancer. It also shortened the duration of low platelet counts and reduced hospital stays and costs.
Chang Gung Platelet Elevating Formula (CGPEF): A 2018 study on gynecologic cancer patients showed that CGPEF might increase platelet counts during chemotherapy. The study was small, so more research is needed.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: A review of 12 trials found that Chinese herbal medicine could increase platelet counts and reduce bleeding risks in chemotherapy patients. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Summary
Chinese herbal medicine has traditionally been used to boost platelet counts. Always consult your doctor and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure safe and effective treatment.
References
Chunfeng Yu et al., “Effects of Shen Cao Granules on Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2019.
Yi-Hong Wu et al., “Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine Improves Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia among Gynecological Cancer,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018.
Li YX et al., “Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Improving Platelet Count among Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” BMC Complement Altern Med, 2017.
Is maternal caffeine intake associated with neonatal anthropometry?
Findings
In this cohort study of 2055 women from 12 clinical sites, measures of caffeine consumption (plasma caffeine and paraxanthine and self-reported consumption) were associated with neonatal size at birth.
Increasing caffeine measures were significantly associated with lower birth weight, shorter length, and smaller head, arm, and thigh circumference.
A study has found that caffeine consumption during pregnancy, even in amounts less than the recommended 200 mg per day, is linked to smaller neonatal anthropometric measurements.
The longitudinal cohort study in JAMA Network Open concluded that compared to women who drank no, or very little caffeine, women who drank the most caffeine (a plasma caffeine level of ≤ 28 ng/mL) had neonates who weighed 84 g less, were 0.44 cm shorter in length, a 0.28 cm smaller head circumference, a 0.25 cm smaller arm circumference, and a 0.29 cm smaller thigh circumference.
“Most of the research on caffeine and neonatal size at birth focuses on birthweight and length, while relying on self-reported measures of caffeine consumption.,” said senior author Katherine Grantz, MD, an investigator in the Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland.
The current study analyzed data from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies–Singletons, which enrolled 2,055 nonsmoking women at low risk for fetal growth abnormalities with complete information on caffeine consumption from 12 U.S. clinical sites between 2009 and 2013.
“In the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies, we have rich data on multiple measures of neonatal anthropometry to more specifically characterize neonatal size, as well as objective measures of plasma concentrations of caffeine and its primary metabolite, paraxanthine,” Grantz told Contemporary OB/GYN.
The two main sources of caffeine were coffee and soda, which accounted for 35% and 41% of caffeine intake, respectively.
Caffeine was evaluated by both plasma concentrations of caffeine and paraxanthine and self-reported caffeinated beverage consumption measured/reported at 10 to 13 weeks gestation.
Caffeine metabolism was defined as fast or slow, based on genotype information from the single nucleotide variant rs762551.
“Prior caffeine studies have observed lower birthweight after consumption of higher amounts of caffeine — usually 200 to 300 mg, or 2 to 3 cups of coffee, daily,” said Grantz, who served as a co-principal investigator of the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies.
Before starting their analyses, the current authors knew that the average consumption in the sample was much lower, about 35 mg/day, and only 16 women reported drinking more than 200 mg/day.
Because of this low consumption, we were uncertain we would see any significant results, so it was surprising that we still found that increasing caffeine consumption, even at low levels, was associated with some smaller anthropometric measures in the offspring,” Grantz said. “Also, the finding that the decreases in birthweight were manifested by decreases in bone and muscle measures, but not skin folds and fat mass, were unexpected. These findings may indicate decreases in lean tissue as caffeine consumption increases.”
The clinical implications of the study are unknown, considering there were only small reductions in some neonatal anthropometric measures, Grantz said. “Other evidence suggests that even small amounts of caffeine intake during pregnancy (50 mg/day) could be associated with a higher risk of excess growth in infancy and childhood that could put children at higher risk of later cardiometabolic disease,” she said.
“Therefore, our results could indicate some disruption in normal fetal growth patterns, but will require more research to confirm.”
Although the study authors are unable to make recommendations based on the results of their single study, “we encourage pregnant women to talk to their providers about caffeine consumption, and suggest that caution may be warranted,” Grantz said.
The next step for the investigators is to evaluate the serial ultrasounds and fetal volumes conducted throughout pregnancy by the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies to determine when changes begin in fetal growth in relation to caffeine measures, and how these changes may be manifested in fetal volumes.
Disclosure
Grantz reports no relevant financial disclosures.
Reference
Gleason JL, Tekola-Ayele F, Sundaram R, et al. Association between maternal caffeine consumption and metabolism and neonatal anthropometry: a secondary analysis of the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies–Singletons. JAMA Network Open. Published online March 25, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3238
Trying to conceive can be one of the most demanding experiences a couple faces.
Whether you are trying naturally, preparing for IVF, or navigating a complex fertility diagnosis, many patients look for additional ways to support their health.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used in reproductive care for thousands of years. They are now among the most commonly used complementary therapies by patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.
Researchers have examined whether acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may help support:
Ovulation and menstrual cycle regularity
Blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
Endometrial development and receptivity
Hormonal balance
Stress and anxiety during fertility treatment
Egg quality and embryo development
Sperm quality and male fertility
IVF treatment outcomes
The overall picture from research is encouraging. But results vary between studies, and more rigorous trials are still needed.
What the Evidence Is Really Showing
Many articles about acupuncture and IVF ask a single question: does acupuncture on embryo transfer day improve pregnancy rates?
That question may actually be too narrow.
Fertility is influenced by a combination of factors. These include egg quality, sperm quality, ovulation, hormonal balance, endometrial development, stress levels, and overall health before conception.
Most of these factors take weeks or months to shift – not days.
This may explain why research consistently reports stronger results when acupuncture and Chinese medicine are used throughout fertility treatment, rather than only around the time of transfer.
It also highlights a critical gap in earlier studies. Many trials used only two sessions: one before and one after embryo transfer.
Researchers have since concluded that two to three acupuncture sessions performed only on or around the day of embryo transfer are insufficient interventions to improve IVF birth outcomes – though they do provide significant stress reduction. [PubMed]
The evidence increasingly points toward ongoing, well-timed treatment as the model that produces meaningful results.
The Missing Piece: Timing and Dosage
One of the most practically useful findings in recent fertility research is one that rarely appears on clinic websites.
Egg development begins approximately 3~4 months before ovulation.
Sperm production takes around 70~90 days.
This means the health of an egg or sperm today reflects what was happening in the body several months ago.
For this reason, fertility specialists generally recommend that preconception preparation begin well before a planned IVF cycle – not in the final days before transfer.
Newer research suggests acupuncture may be more beneficial when performed as a series of treatments rather than as a single session. A 2024 meta-analysis focused specifically on timing found that acupuncture administered before frozen embryo transfer was associated with significantly improved pregnancy and live birth rates. [Pubmed]
At Almond Wellness Centre, we discuss treatment timing with each patient individually. Some patients begin with us 3~4 before a planned cycle. Others come during active IVF treatment. Both approaches have value – but earlier preparation consistently allows for a more complete and individualised program.
Acupuncture, Stress and the Fertility Hormone Connection
This is an area the research has developed substantially – and one that deserves more attention than it typically receives.
IVF is not only physically demanding. It is psychologically intense, often across multiple cycles, with no certainty of outcome.
The egg retrieval stage appeared most affected by both chronic and acute stress.
Chronic stress also showed a possible association with fertilisation and embryo transfer outcomes.
The mechanism is physiological, not merely psychological.
Chronic stress influences cortisol and other hormones that play a role in reproductive function. Research has shown that anxiety is associated with both pregnancy rate and live birth rate in IVF patients, an effect partly mediated by the stress-hormone system.
Wheninfertility-related stress is higher, IVF success rates are lower.
Acupuncture has been shown to modulate the autonomic nervous system and regulate the HPA axis – the body’s primary stress-response pathway – which in turn influences cortisol and reproductive hormones. [ScienceDirect]
A 2025 study published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health found that even a single session of whole-systems TCM during an IVF cycle produced meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Patients reported average reductions of more than two points in both stress and anxiety scores, measured before and immediately after treatment.
Acupuncture’s documented effect on stress and anxiety during IVF is a benefit in its own right – independent of its direct reproductive effects.
Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and IVF Outcomes
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found that acupuncture may improve pregnancy outcomes for some women undergoing IVF, particularly those who had experienced previous unsuccessful cycles. Researchers also noted that treatment frequency appeared to influence results.
A large retrospective study published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online reviewed more than 1,200 IVF cycles. Women receiving a whole-systems TCM approach – combining acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle support – achieved higher live birth rates than those receiving IVF alone or transfer-day acupuncture only.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis registered in PROSPERO, searching eleven databases and including participants from five continents, evaluated the effectiveness of East Asian traditional medicine in improving clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Findings supported the potential role of integrated TCM care alongside ART.
A randomised controlled trial also found that combining Chinese herbal medicine with IVF and embryo transfer improved endometrial thickness, embryo quality, and overall pregnancy outcomes.
Although these findings are encouraging, the field continues to call for larger, well-designed trials. Earlier studies were limited by small sample sizes, variable treatment protocols, and difficulties designing appropriate controls for acupuncture research. More recent work is methodologically stronger.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Female Fertility
Chinese herbal medicine is a distinct component of TCM, frequently used alongside acupuncture to support reproductive health.
A large meta-analysis involving more than 4,000 women found that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with improved pregnancy rates over three to six months, compared with some conventional fertility medications. The review also reported improvements in ovulation, endometrial thickness, and cervical mucus quality.
Research has also examined TCM for women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) – a condition characterised by reduced ovarian function and fewer available eggs. A 2025 systematic review reported improvements in FSH levels and antral follicle count, suggesting potential benefits for ovarian response.
Acupuncture for PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is among the most common causes of ovulatory infertility.
Research suggests acupuncture may help improve:
Menstrual cycle regularity
Ovulation frequency
Hormonal balance and metabolic function
Fertility outcomes when combined with medical treatment
A 2017 systematic review found that acupuncture may improve ovulation rates in women with PCOS, particularly alongside conventional treatment. A further randomised controlled trial found that combining acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with letrozole therapy produced better ovulation and pregnancy outcomes than letrozole alone.
The current evidence base for PCOS is rated low-to-moderate quality. Larger trials are ongoing. For patients with PCOS preparing for IVF or trying naturally, acupuncture may be a useful adjunct to medical care – particularly given its well-documented effects on hormonal regulation and stress.
Acupuncture and Endometrial Receptivity
Successful implantation requires a healthy, well-vascularised uterine lining at the right stage of development.
A 2019 systematic review found that acupuncture was associated with statistically significant improvements in endometrial receptivity among women with implantation difficulties.
More recent research has demonstrated that acupuncture combined with moxibustion may influence oestrogen levels on the day of hCG administration, improve high-quality embryo rates, and enhance endometrial blood flow and morphology. The research also suggests that acupuncture may exert a bidirectional regulatory effect on hormone levels – helping to correct both deficiency and excess depending on the patient’s presentation. This is consistent with TCM’s individualised, pattern-based approach to treatment.
Acupuncture and Hormonal Health
Hormonal balance plays a central role in fertility.
A comprehensive review of both human and animal studies found that acupuncture may influence several reproductive hormones, including FSH, LH, oestrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. Researchers proposed that acupuncture’s effects may involve the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis – the communication pathway between the brain and the reproductive system. This provides a plausible biological mechanism for the menstrual cycle improvements and ovulation changes observed across multiple studies.
Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Reproductive Health
This is an emerging research area that receives far too little attention in fertility discussions.
Reproductive hormones do not operate independently. They are deeply linked to the body’s internal clock.
Poor sleep quality, shift work, chronic stress, irregular bedtimes, and circadian disruption may influence:
Hormonal regulation
Ovulation
Egg quality
Sperm production
Metabolic health
IVF outcomes
Research has increasingly examined the relationship between circadian health and IVF outcomes. Disruption to sleep-wake cycles and cortisol rhythms is associated with poorer hormonal regulation and reduced reproductive function.
Evidence suggests that sleep habits and quality can affect IVF outcomes like clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.
Acupuncture is often recognised for its stress-reduction effects. But this may be only part of its contribution.
By supporting nervous system regulation, reducing sympathetic overdrive, and promoting improved sleep quality, acupuncture may indirectly influence several biological systems relevant to fertility.
This is an area we expect to see receive considerably more research attention in the coming years.
Male Fertility and TCM
Male factors contribute to approximately half of all infertility cases.
Yet fertility conversations still frequently focus on women alone.
Research examining Traditional Chinese Medicine for male fertility has reported improvements in:
Sperm concentration
Sperm motility
Sperm morphology
Overall semen quality
One study found that more than 92% of male patients treated with TCM showed improvements in semen parameters. Another study found that more than 70% of male infertility patients had partners who conceived naturally within a year of completing treatment.
Research has also examined specific natural compounds. A systematic review on garlic (Allium sativum) suggested antioxidant effects that may support sperm health, testosterone levels, and testicular function.
Fertility is a couple’s issue – not solely a woman’s issue. At Almond Wellness Centre, we treat both partners where appropriate, addressing male reproductive health as part of a shared fertility program.
An Honest Assessment: What TCM Can and Cannot Do
Most fertility information pages present only positive findings.
We prefer to be direct.
The research on acupuncture and TCM for fertility is encouraging. But it is not uniformly positive. Some well-designed studies have found no significant improvement in IVF pregnancy rates. Others have found benefits that diminish when methodology improves. The field is still maturing.
What the research does support, with reasonable consistency:
Acupuncture appears safe when administered by a qualified practitioner
It has documented effects on stress and anxiety during IVF treatment
Treatment timing and dosage matter — brief or single-session protocols are likely insufficient
Whole-systems TCM (acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle support together) appears more effective than acupuncture alone
Benefits may be most pronounced for patients with PCOS, poor endometrial development, or a history of unsuccessful IVF cycles
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are best understood as adjunctive. They support and complement medical fertility care. They do not replace it.
All clinical claims made on this page are expressed as potential or possible benefits only, consistent with available evidence. Acupuncture and TCM are complementary to, not a replacement for, the care of your medical fertility team. Individual outcomes vary. We encourage all patients to discuss complementary therapies with their treating specialist.
At Almond Wellness Centre, treatment is individually tailored to your health history, fertility goals, and medical care plan. We welcome patients who are trying to conceive naturally,preparing for IVF, or who have experienced previous unsuccessful treatment cycles.
To discuss how acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine may support your fertility journey, book a consultation at our Coburg or Ringwood clinics.
FAQ
Does acupuncture improve IVF success rates?
Recent research suggests acupuncture may improve IVF outcomes, particularly when provided as part of a structured treatment program rather than a single treatment around embryo transfer.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 25 randomised controlled trials and 4,757 women found that clinical pregnancy rates were significantly higher in acupuncture groups (43.6%) compared with control groups (33.2%). Live birth rates were also significantly higher in acupuncture groups (38.0%) compared with control groups (28.7%).
Researchers found positive effects across several acupuncture methods, including manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation.
Earlier research has also reported benefits. A 2019 systematic review found acupuncture may improve pregnancy outcomes for some women undergoing IVF, particularly those with previous unsuccessful treatment cycles.
A large retrospective study involving more than 1,200 IVF cycles reported that women receiving a whole-systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and lifestyle support, achieved higher live birth rates than women receiving IVF alone or transfer-day acupuncture only.
While these findings are encouraging, researchers continue to call for larger, high-quality studies and standardised treatment protocols.
References: Xu et al. (2024); Xie et al. (2019); Hullender Rubin et al. (2015).
When should I start acupuncture before IVF?
Recent research suggests that timing may be one of the most important factors influencing outcomes.
Egg development begins approximately three to four months before ovulation, while sperm production takes around seventy to ninety days.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 38 randomised controlled trials and nearly 6,000 women found that acupuncture timing significantly influenced IVF outcomes.
For fresh IVF cycles, acupuncture performed during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) was associated with improved clinical pregnancy rates. Acupuncture provided only on embryo transfer day did not demonstrate the same reproductive benefits.
For frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles, acupuncture administered before embryo transfer was associated with significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates.
The same review also found that higher treatment dosages were associated with better outcomes than lower treatment frequencies.
These findings support the idea that acupuncture may be more beneficial when started before IVF treatment rather than only around embryo transfer.
References: Wang et al. (2024); Xu et al. (2024).
Can acupuncture improve endometrial receptivity?
Recent research suggests acupuncture may support several biological processes involved in endometrial receptivity.
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found statistically significant improvements in endometrial receptivity among women with implantation difficulties.
A 2025 literature review published in Frontiers in Physiology concluded that acupuncture may improve endometrial receptivity through multiple mechanisms, including:
• Improving endometrial morphology
• Increasing uterine blood flow
• Regulating reproductive hormones
• Influencing molecular markers involved in implantation
• Modulating the immune-inflammatory environment of the endometrium
• Potentially activating neurophysiological pathways involved in reproductive regulation
A randomised controlled trial examining women undergoing IVF found that acupuncture significantly improved several measures of endometrial blood flow compared with sham acupuncture, suggesting a possible mechanism through which acupuncture may support implantation.
The authors concluded that acupuncture may be a useful complementary therapy for women with reduced endometrial receptivity, although larger studies are still needed.
References: Zhang et al. (2025); Qian et al. (2019); Dong et al. (2023).
Can acupuncture reduce stress during IVF?
Yes. This is one of the most consistent findings in fertility acupuncture research.
Stress, anxiety, and emotional burden are common during fertility treatment and have been associated with poorer IVF outcomes in some studies.
Acupuncture has been shown to influence the autonomic nervous system and regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a key role in the body’s stress response.
A 2025 study examining Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS-TCM) during IVF reviewed 1,896 treatments associated with 202 embryo transfers. Researchers found clinically meaningful reductions in:
• Stress (average reduction of 2.11 points)
• Anxiety (average reduction of 2.22 points)
• Pain (average reduction of 1.38 points)
Importantly, these improvements were observed after a single treatment session.
Researchers concluded that WS-TCM may improve patient experience during IVF and provide valuable support for the psychosocial challenges commonly associated with fertility treatment.
References: Lu et al. (2025); studies examining HPA-axis regulation and fertility-related stress.
How many acupuncture treatments are recommended before IVF?
Research increasingly suggests that treatment dosage matters.
A 2024 meta-analysis involving 38 randomised controlled trials found that while improvements in clinical pregnancy rates occurred across different treatment frequencies, significant improvements in live birth rates were primarily observed in higher-dose acupuncture protocols.
The same study found that ongoing treatment during key stages of IVF appeared more beneficial than isolated treatments performed only on embryo transfer day.
This supports the growing view that fertility acupuncture may work best as a series of treatments delivered over time rather than as a single intervention.
Because fertility diagnoses, IVF protocols, and patient circumstances differ, treatment plans should always be individualised.
Xie Z, Peng Z, Yao B, et al. The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):131. doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2523-7
Hullender Rubin LE, Opsahl MS, Wiemer K, Mist SD, Caughey AB. Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in vitro fertilization outcomes. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015;30(6):602–612. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.02.005
Guo J, Li D, Liu C, Ji X, Li R, Du X. Effects of Chinese herbs combined with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer on infertility: a clinical randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2014;34(3):267–273. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(14)60089-3
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Female Fertility
Ried K. Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: an updated meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2015;23(1):11–22. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.12.004
Xia T, Ma RH, Mu W, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine for diminished ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Tradit Chin Med. 2014. doi:10.1016/S1674-6384(14)60014-9
Acupuncture for PCOS
Jo J, Lee YJ, Lee H. Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(23):e7066. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000007066
Yin Y, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Jiang D, Guo G. Clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine on infertility of polycystic ovary syndrome with letrozole induction. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2018;38(1):27–32. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.01.006
Acupuncture and Endometrial Receptivity
Qian Y, et al. Acupuncture in improving endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):61. doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2472-1
Zhang S, He H, Wang J, et al. Acupuncture as an adjunct therapy for enhancing endometrial receptivity in female infertility: a literature review. Front Physiol. 2025;16:1548737. doi:10.3389/fphys.2025.1548737
Dong H, Wu X, Zhou Q, et al. Effect of acupuncture on endometrial blood flow in women undergoing IVF-ET: a randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2023–2024. doi:10.1007/s11655-023-3731-4
Acupuncture and Hormonal Balance
Ko JH, Kim SN. A literature review of women’s sex hormone changes by acupuncture treatment: analysis of human and animal studies. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:3752723. doi:10.1155/2018/3752723
Male Fertility and TCM
Jo J, Jerng UM. The effects of traditional Korean medicine in infertile male patients with poor semen quality: a retrospective study. Eur J Integr Med. 2016. doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2016.01.007
Musavi H, Tabnak M, Alaei Sheini F, et al. Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on male fertility: a systematic review. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2018;7(4):306–312. doi:10.15171/jhp.2018.46
Wang X, Xu H, Wang Q, Zhu X, Zeng Y, Huang L, Feng X, Chen S. The timing and dose effect of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes for IVF-ET: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Complement Med. 2024;30(11):1031–1046. doi:10.1089/jicm.2023.0478
Xu M, Zhu M, Zheng C. Effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes: updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024;309(3):775–788. doi:10.1007/s00404-023-07142-1
Wang Y, Ji J, Duan N, Yin Y. Acupuncture as adjunct therapy around embryo transfer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Reprod Health. 2025;7:1673144. doi:10.3389/frph.2025.1673144
Whole Systems TCM & Clinical Outcomes
Lu R, Rodgers-Melnick SN, Kaiser CM, et al. Clinical delivery of whole systems Traditional Chinese Medicine and impacts upon patient-reported outcomes during IVF. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2025;14:27536130251349116. doi:10.1177/27536130251349116
Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis – 2017
Author’s conclusions
Acupuncture can alleviate the pain of dysmenorrhoea and reduce peripheral blood CA-125. As a result, the therapy could be applied as a complementary treatment for endometriosis-related pain.
However, few randomised, blinded clinical trials have addressed the efficacy of acupuncture in treating endometriosis-related pain. Nonetheless, the current literature consistently finds that acupuncture yields better reductions in pain and serum CA-125 levels than do control treatments, regardless of the control intervention used.
To confirm this finding, additional studies with proper controls, blinding methods, and adequate sample sizes are needed.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis (Review 2012)
Main results
Two Chinese RCTs involving 158 women were included in this review. Although both these trials described adequate methodology they were of limited quality. Neither trial compared CHM with placebo treatment. There was no evidence of a significant difference in rates of symptomatic relief between CHM and gestrinone administered subsequent to laparoscopic surgery (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.18). There was no significant difference between the CHM and gestrinone groups with regard to the total pregnancy rate (69.6% versus 59.1%; RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.59, one RCT).
CHM administered orally and then in conjunction with a herbal enema resulted in a greater proportion of women obtaining symptomatic relief than with danazol (RR 5.06, 95% CI 1.28 to 20.05; RR 5.63, 95% CI 1.47 to 21.54, respectively). Oral plus enema administration of CHM resulted in a greater reduction in average dysmenorrhoea pain scores than did danazol (mean difference (MD) -2.90, 95%
CI -4.55 to -1.25). For lumbosacral pain, rectal discomfort, or vaginal nodules tenderness, there was no significant difference between CHM and danazol.
Overall, 100% of women in both studies showed some improvement in their symptoms. Women taking CHM had fewer side effects than those taking either gestrinone or danazol.
Authors’ conclusions
Post-surgical administration of CHM may have comparable benefits to gestrinone. Oral CHM may have a better overall treatment effect than danazol and it may be more effective in relieving dysmenorrhoea when used in conjunction with a CHM enema. CHM appears to have fewer side effects than either gestrinone or danazol. However, more rigorous research is required to accurately assess the potential role of CHM in treating endometriosis.
Plain language summary
Chinese herbs for endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition causing menstrual and pelvic pain. Treatment involves surgery and hormonal drugs, with potentially unpleasant side effects and high rates of reoccurrence of endometriosis. The two small studies in this review suggest that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may be as effective as gestrinone and may be more effective than danazol in relieving
endometriosis-related pain, with fewer side effects than experienced with conventional treatment. However, the two trials included in this review were small and of limited quality so these findings must be interpreted cautiously. Better quality randomised controlled trials are needed to investigate apossible role for CHM in the treatment of endometriosis.
Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis (Review 2011)
Twenty-four studies were identified that involved acupuncture for endometriosis; however only one trial, enrolling 67 participants, met all the inclusion criteria. The single included trial defined pain scores and cure rates according to the Guideline for Clinical Research on New Chinese Medicine. Dysmenorrhoea scores were lower in the acupuncture group (mean difference -4.81 points, 95% confidence interval -6.25 to -3.37, P < 0.00001) using the 15-point Guideline for Clinical Research on New Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Pelvic Endometriosis scale. The total effective rate (’cured’, ’significantly effective’ or ’effective’) for auricular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was 91.9% and 60%, respectively (risk ratio 3.04, 95% confidence interval 1.65 to 5.62, P = 0.0004).
The improvement rate did not differ significantly between auricular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for cases of mild to moderate dysmenorrhoea, whereas auricular acupuncture did significantly reduce pain in cases of severe dysmenorrhoea. Data were not available for secondary outcomes measures.
Authors’ conclusions
The evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain in endometriosis is limited, based on the results of only a single study that was included in this review. This review highlights the necessity for developing future studies that are well-designed, double-blinded, randomised controlled trials that assess various types of acupuncture in comparison to conventional therapies.
Plain language summary
Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease that causes chronic pelvic pain, most notably painful menstruation, as the most common complaint. Acupuncture is frequently used to treat both pain and various gynaecological conditions. This review examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for reducing pain in endometriosis; however only one study met our inclusion criteria.
The data from the included study, involving 67 women, indicated that ear acupuncture is more effective compared to Chinese herbal medicine for reducing menstrual pain. The study did not report whether participants suffered any side effects from their treatments. Lager, well-designed studies comparing acupuncture with conventional therapies are necessary to confirm these results.
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