British Acupuncture Council has recently found some varied and incredible benefits to using acupuncture during IVF/ICSI preparation.
What is IVF and ICSI?
IVF and ICSI preparation has helped countless families across the world who may be infertile, become pregnant. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure whereby an egg is fertilized by sperm in a test tube, to increase the chances of fertilization within a woman. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is similar to IVF, where it follows the same medical procedure of sperm injection into an individual egg. Both medical procedures are to be quite effective, yet sometimes have their faults.
Acupuncture, IVF and ICSI
A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis found acupuncture to have a significant treatment effect in improving the birth rates of subfertile women undergoing IVF or ICSI. A summary of previous reviews from 2009 to 2017 found acupuncture had a beneficial treatment effect on clinical pregnancy rate.
How Does Acupuncture Help with IVF & ICSI?
Acupuncture may be a suitable treatment option to help reduce stress and anxiety levels for women suffering from subfertility. By undergoing acupuncture treatments while going through the IVF or ICSI fertility process, the relaxing and no side-effect treatment of acupuncture can allow the egg to become fertilized without any risk of miscarriage.
What did the Research Find?
Acupuncture significantly improved the live birth rate of subfertile patients undergoing IVF or ICSI. One interesting characteristic of the studies included in the systematic reviews where an effect was found is that acupuncture was not just focused around the time of embryo transfer only. It helped to secure the fertilization, a healthy pregnancy, and less-complicated birth.
Can Acupuncture Improve Emotional Wellbeing during IVF or ICSI Cycle?
Assisted reproduction treatment can be stressful and anxiety-provoking. Interventions to support the psychological impact of subfertility and fertility treatment should be offered, so that a patient can make an informed decision and a choice regarding appropriate stress and anxiety management strategy that may help them. Experiencing acupuncture treatments while undergoing IVF and ICSI cycles helps to ensure that the stress level of the woman is low and she is relaxed, so the egg is able to become fertilized without any complications.
How can Full Circle Health Network Help?
At Full Circle Health Network, our acupuncturist, Sean Quigley, is trained in pre and post-natal services while specializing in fertility. He often helps many clients who are struggling with infertility and has found this case study to be enlightening in his work. Acupuncture is a real medicine with real results that skips the side effects of clinical medication. It is relaxing and has true stress-reliever qualities which can help with IVF and ICSI treatments.
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