| It may seem like fertility treatment is a by-product | | | | However, a slightly more Western way of looking at |
| of our modern, technologically advanced world. The | | | | the effects points less to the mystical Qi and more |
| very frontiers of high-tech science are pushed by the | | | | towards the solid science of brain chemistry. It has |
| challenges of fertility treatment: hormones injections | | | | been noted that acupuncture increases production of |
| and IVF. And as wonderful as the advances are in | | | | endorphins, the body's natural "feel good" brain |
| helping couples to achieve their dream, the success | | | | chemical that also plays a role in regulating the |
| rate is far from perfect, leaving many turning back to | | | | menstrual cycle, egg production and possibly |
| much older technology - the ancient Chinese art of | | | | ovulation. |
| Acupuncture. | | | | It has also been found that acupuncture treatment |
| Acupuncture is gaining acceptance as a | | | | for infertility increases blood supply and flow to the |
| complementary therapy to other fertility treatments, | | | | reproductive organs, leading to speculation about |
| where it has proven to be especially beneficial. | | | | increased egg follicles and elevated hormone levels |
| Studies have shown that acupuncture definitely | | | | around the ovaries. |
| increases the rate of pregnancy in women | | | | It is also possible that acupuncture could help when |
| undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). | | | | the lining of the uterus is too weak to maintain a |
| A well-known German study done in 2002 followed | | | | pregnancy - a problem associated with miscarriage. |
| 160 women who underwent IVF, 80 of them | | | | Increased blood flow may lead to a stronger lining in |
| received acupuncture as well and 34 of those | | | | the uterus better able to sustain an implanted |
| women got pregnant: a success rate of 42.5%. Of | | | | embryo. |
| the other 80 women, those who received IVF | | | | Unfortunately, acupuncture will not help everyone. |
| without any acupuncture treatments, only 21 women | | | | Good candidates have functional rather than |
| (26.3%) became pregnant. | | | | structural reasons for infertility. Where there is a |
| Another study, American, of 114 women showed | | | | structural problem - such as a blocked fallopian tube |
| that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and | | | | or a fibroid tumour - acupuncture is not likely to help. |
| IVF treatments became pregnant compared to 36% | | | | And, past a certain age, acupuncture has little chance |
| of women who had IVF alone. Further analysis of the | | | | of being effective. |
| data revealed a much lower rate of miscarriage for | | | | If you are looking at acupuncture as a first or |
| the women who had acupuncture as well as IVF. | | | | complementary treatment, make sure you find a |
| No one can agree on how or why this therapy | | | | respected practitioner, preferably one known to and |
| works. The traditional Chinese practitioner's | | | | in contact with your fertility doctor. Be aware that |
| explanation involves concepts such as 'Qi', imbalance | | | | treatments can vary dramatically in length and |
| and a restoration of harmony to the body, but | | | | method, as can the costs. And be sure to check that |
| according to Western medicine, the explanation is | | | | you are covered for acupuncture by examining your |
| more likely to lie in brain chemistry. | | | | insurance policy carefully. |