Many couples who have difficulty conceiving by traditional methods often employ various techniques to aid the reproductive process. The most common assisted reproduction therapy is In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), in which a woman’s eggs are harvested and fertilised (with a man’s sperm) in a laboratory.

Although assisted reproduction techniques like IVF have been in use since the 1970s, the success rate of each therapy has not been very satisfactory, approximately 25%. A successful pregnancy depends on a variety of factors. Acupuncture is a useful tool for patients looking to increase their chances of being pregnant following assisted reproduction therapy.

Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that has been practised in China for more than 3,000 years. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including infertility. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that a variety of energy patterns can interfere with becoming pregnant. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, disposable needles to penetrate and stimulate specific areas associated with organ function in order to restore internal balance.

As more women seek drug-free treatment for the conditions of pregnancy, TCM has much to offer. When trying to get pregnant, acupuncture can be used in combination with other Western Medicine treatments for infertility. Acupuncture provides a non-invasive, holistic approach to reversing infertility and has a surprising success rate among women suffering from infertility.

Adding acupuncture to conventional assisted reproduction techniques can dramatically improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.

Acupuncture points are selected to relax and improve blood perfusion and “energy” in the uterus. It also has a mild sedative effect on the patient, resulting in “stabilisation” of the endocrine system.

For women undergoing treatment with IVF, performing acupuncture immediately before and after the embryo transfer may result in a higher chance of pregnancy.

A German study in April 2002 showed that 42.5% of women, who underwent acupuncture, once before and once after the transfer of the embryos into the uterus, become pregnant versus that of 26.25% without acupuncture.

Article by Ms Jin Jin Hua, Acupuncturist