Acupuncture VS IVF

[Shibagirl]

Hello this is my first post and I am sure hoping this works. I am 27 with tons of issues, endometerosis, endometeromas things like that. My DH and I have been trying to concieve for a year now and started going to a RE in Nov. Since then I have had surgery, laproscopic, and we attempted an IVF cycle but I did not respond to the meds. When we saw my doc last time as he was walking out of the room he looked at me and asked if I would ever consider acupuncture. I thought sure why not. So I went and now i am sooo confused.

First let me state my acpuncturist does specilize in infertility I did at least do my homework. She told me yesterday that she thinks I need 6 months of treatment and then we can start to look into IVF. She does not think my body is healthy enough to be pregnant right now. I think that is a bit extreme, so does my husband. But i dont know why my RE would have suggested it if he did not think it was a good idea. Normally we would ask and discuss but we are on CD2 and going to the RE to check my follicles and see if there is enough to move forward with an antogonist protocol.

This is my problem, I am confused. I dont know if we should heed this acupuncturist advice or keep on the track we have been on. DH wants to stay on track and I honestly dont know what to do. Please help if you have any advice on this. Thanks.

[PaleSpring]

Many acupuncturists suggest starting acupuncture treatments well in advance before IVF cycles, to get your body ready and in balance for not only a successful treatment, but also a healthy and viable pregnancy. For my last cycle, I started seeing an acupuncturist in October and had my transfer in February. I think most would ask you to consider coming at least 3 months in advance. TCM looks at things from a different perspective than conventional western medicine, in relation to things like energy flow in the body, imbalances, body health etc. Given that you did not respond well last time and that even your own RE is suggesting it, I think that if you are able to its a worth a shot to give acupuncture a try for a few months before cycling again. Your acupuncturist will also try to diagnose you from a TCM perspective, to see if there are any imbalances that need to be corrected, if energy and blood is flowing properly etc. This is why they want you to come a few months before cycling, because if there are any problems like that, its not something that can be helped in just one of two sessions before IVF

I wish you all the best and every success!! Take care

[Suzanne Rico]

Hi Shibagirl--I had my first son at 40 after 3 ivfs and 2 miscarriages. I started seeing an acupuncturist after my second miscarriage and she told me basically the SAME thing as yours did: to wait at least six months and get my body in shape to carry a pregnancy. It was the hardest thing to do because I wanted a baby like NOW! But I did, and eight months later, I was able to carry a baby nearly to term, when before I would miscarry in the first trimester. You are 27, You have time. Make an investment in this journey and give yourself the best chance of success. I also really admire an RE who is open to acupuncture. My first RE (with whom I had the miscarriages) NEVER told me about acupuncture--it was only when I switched REs that I found out about this option. I think with a good RE AND a good acupuncturist, you are going to be successful! Good luck and stay calm.. as calm as you can in this situation!

[Mina777]

So I was told by my accupuncturist. I was not ready to carry on a pregnancy because my whole body was messed up by years and years of physical diseases (2 miscarriages among many other things).
Well I think she was right because my cycle totally changed after some months of treatment, turning back to what it was some years ago. I also got naturally pregnant at the end and I'm now 14 weeks, but even for IVF I think it's right to let the accupuncture do its job for some time before any attempt. So you'll have space to see how your body react to this kind of medicine and its concrete effects.

good luck!

[fay]

hi ladies, im so confused...its a long story and im looking into some options, adoption, ivf but first i want to make sure im definatly not going to concieve naturally. 12 years in...5 m/cs over 5 years and 7 years ttc and nothings happened gyno says its unexplained infertility, im now 30 years old and pulling out all the stops before its to late. never seen a RE dont think thats something they offer in england, so going to double check as i have never heard of it until now. you all mention accupuncture..?? do you really think this works..?? im not so sure but will give anything a try, what your thoughts?

baby dust to all, fay

[cannady]

Why did your RE suggest acupuncture, Shiba? And what problems other than endometriosis are you dealing with? It seems like you haven't said all the issues you're looking at. Has anyone told you a diagnosis as to why you're infertile now, and why you would need six months of acupuncture? Did you ask the acupuncturist detailed questions, such as what would be worked on during that time?

What does "staying on track" mean? I'm a little unclear as to what your problems are, honestly.

Hello this is my first post and I am sure hoping this works. I am 27 with tons of issues, endometerosis, endometeromas things like that. My DH and I have been trying to concieve for a year now and started going to a RE in Nov. Since then I have had surgery, laproscopic, and we attempted an IVF cycle but I did not respond to the meds. When we saw my doc last time as he was walking out of the room he looked at me and asked if I would ever consider acupuncture. I thought sure why not. So I went and now i am sooo confused.

First let me state my acpuncturist does specilize in infertility I did at least do my homework. She told me yesterday that she thinks I need 6 months of treatment and then we can start to look into IVF. She does not think my body is healthy enough to be pregnant right now. I think that is a bit extreme, so does my husband. But i dont know why my RE would have suggested it if he did not think it was a good idea. Normally we would ask and discuss but we are on CD2 and going to the RE to check my follicles and see if there is enough to move forward with an antogonist protocol.

This is my problem, I am confused. I dont know if we should heed this acupuncturist advice or keep on the track we have been on. DH wants to stay on track and I honestly dont know what to do. Please help if you have any advice on this. Thanks.

[cannady]

When your gyno says "unexplained infertility," does that come from any tests at all? What tests have you had, if any? I am sure there are fertility clinics in England, and I am sure there are reproductive endocrinologists, too.

The research I have read about acupuncture in terms of fertility treatments specifically is that they help on the day of embryo transfer during IVF. OTherwise, they can help with PMS symptoms, and can help regulate hormones.

hi ladies, im so confused...its a long story and im looking into some options, adoption, ivf but first i want to make sure im definatly not going to concieve naturally. 12 years in...5 m/cs over 5 years and 7 years ttc and nothings happened gyno says its unexplained infertility, im now 30 years old and pulling out all the stops before its to late. never seen a RE dont think thats something they offer in england, so going to double check as i have never heard of it until now. you all mention accupuncture..?? do you really think this works..?? im not so sure but will give anything a try, what your thoughts?

baby dust to all, fay

[drsquid]

Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization: updated meta-analysis - meta analysis showing no improvement with accupuncture

Use of complementary and alternative medicines associated with a 30% lower ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate during 12 months of fertility treatment - 30% decrease in success rates when using "complimentary" meds.

if acupuncture makes someone more comfortable, less stressed or that they are "doing" something then that is unlikely to cause harm, but if that is an added expense that will cause stress then it is probably not worth adding.

[cannady]

I'm a huge skeptic, and I love academic articles. But the complementary medicine article cited below raised my eyebrow... I don't think it's a particularly useful study of acupuncture when it's lumped with all other healing modalities. (Acupuncture just isn't the same thing as homeopathy!) There's just not enough control that way. For instance, taking herbs like Vitex could understandably lower the effectiveness of fertility drugs. But if someone's doing all sorts of methods, there's no way to account for what's causing the problem.

There is generally evidence that acupuncture does not do any harm at all, and if it helps relax someone, then it's a good thing regardless (a sentiment echoed by my RE). There are a few studies that suggest acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer may, in fact, be very helpful and improve success rates for women with advanced maternal age or diminished ovarian reserve. (One article citation: Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial /Fertility and Sterility, Volume 85, Issue 5, Pages 1341-1346
Lars G. Westergaard, Qunhui Mao, Marianne Krogslund, Steen Sandrini, Suzan Lenz, Jørgen Grinsted)

Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization: updated meta-analysis - meta analysis showing no improvement with accupuncture

Use of complementary and alternative medicines associated with a 30% lower ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate during 12 months of fertility treatment - 30% decrease in success rates when using "complimentary" meds.

if acupuncture makes someone more comfortable, less stressed or that they are "doing" something then that is unlikely to cause harm, but if that is an added expense that will cause stress then it is probably not worth adding.

[drsquid]

yeah that is why i put both articles and didnt say they were the same thing. but i think it is important for people to realize that taking all kinds of supplements is a good thing to discuss with your doctor and is often suggested in the same breath as acupuncture.

the first article was a meta analysis ie they combined the findings of multiple prior studies.this was done in 2009, and 3 years after the 2006 article you listed. there was one i found where the outcome was WORSE when acupuncture was provided on the day of embryo transfer if it was provided outside the fertility clinic (possibly due to stress from driving back and forth). (cant seem to hunt down the article quickly but Study Questions Benefit of Acupuncture in IVF*:*OBGYN News talks about it) heck one study found that "sham acupuncture" had better outcomes than acupuncture itself. A randomized double blind comparison of real and placebo acupuncture in IVF treatment (done in hong kong)

my point was that there is no proof either way, and acupuncture is quite expensive (as is all the rest of fertility). if the value of the relaxation and sense of "doing something" out weighs any added stress of more expenditure then sure it is worth it. but i think many people feel that if they fail to get pregnant and they arent doing "everything" they can possibly do, then it is their fault, and this one falls along the extremely iffy science border. particularly when the practitioner contradicts the RE or recommends excessive wait times in older patients whose eggs arent getting any younger.