| When you think of acupuncture, there may be a | | | | How Much Acupuncture Helps |
| whole slew of interesting images that flash through | | | | Typically, each round of IVF is between 11% and |
| your mind. You may not really even know what | | | | 39% likely to result in a live birth, with the odds |
| acupuncture is, which isn't unusual in the Western | | | | lowering as women age. With acupuncture, though, |
| world. Although scientists are unsure why | | | | several studies have shown a significant increase in |
| acupuncture works, the fact is that the process of | | | | those statistics. For instance, the most famous study |
| having a qualified therapist stick thin needles into | | | | on IVF and acupuncture to date, which was |
| certain parts of your body actually does help relieve | | | | conducted in Germany in 2002, showed that women |
| stress, and it may help regulate hormones in some | | | | who underwent acupuncture right before and right |
| unexplained way. What's more, acupuncture has been | | | | after a round of IVF were 43% likely to become |
| proven to increase IVF chances of success in many | | | | pregnant; at that time, the statistics for women |
| women. | | | | becoming pregnant through IVF were even lower - |
| While the research on acupuncture and IVF is still | | | | as low as 26% - so you can see what an |
| relatively new and is being contested by some in the | | | | improvement this was. |
| medical community, it is solid and promising enough | | | | Besides this, acupuncture seemed to lessen a |
| that many ART clinics are actually starting to add | | | | woman's chances of miscarrying after she became |
| acupuncture to their IVF packages. Even if this isn't | | | | pregnant. In this study, 20% of women who became |
| the case with the clinics you try out, you can easily | | | | pregnant without using acupuncture miscarried, but |
| see a qualified acupuncturist in your area during IVF | | | | only 8% of women who became pregnant while |
| cycles to improve your chances of becoming | | | | using acupuncture miscarried. These odds are pretty |
| pregnant and carrying a baby to full term. | | | | significant, and the chances of pregnancy when a |
| How Acupuncture Improves Your Odds | | | | woman uses acupuncture are likely to be even higher |
| The truth is that no one - not even acupuncturists - | | | | today since, overall, pregnancy is more likely with IVF |
| are really sure about how the procedure helps | | | | than it was eight years ago. |
| women who are undergoing IVF. Some people think | | | | How to Use It |
| that it helps regulate hormones, and there is some | | | | By in large, acupuncture was the most successful for |
| evidence that it increases certain pregnancy | | | | women who had healthy embryos to implant since |
| hormones that help women become pregnant and | | | | the procedure couldn't save an unhealthy embryo. If |
| carry their babies to full term. Others think that the | | | | this describes you, your best chances are probably to |
| procedure is simply a surefire way of beating stress, | | | | use acupuncture half an hour before a round of IVF |
| and lowered levels of stress have certainly been | | | | and half an hour after the procedure, as well. |
| linked to increased IVF success rates. Even though | | | | Although using acupuncture only before IVF has |
| we aren't sure how acupuncture aids IVF, we are | | | | proven helpful, too, this bookend treatment has |
| sure that it does help. | | | | shown the most promise for the most women. |