Does Acupuncture Really Increase IVF Success Rates? A Chicago Expert's Guide
Yes, acupuncture can increase IVF success rates. According to fertility specialists at Herb and Ohm in Chicago, acupuncture offers many benefits to women who are preparing for or currently undergoing assisted reproductive technology, with research supporting its effectiveness as a complementary therapy.
What Herb and Ohm Says About Acupuncture and IVF Success
Dr. Amy Wolf, DACM, L.Ac. founder of Herb and Ohm and a Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine, asserts that acupuncture offers many benefits to women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. As someone who has undergone IVF herself, Dr. Wolf truly understands what patients are going through both physically and emotionally, putting her in a unique position to advise and advocate for you and put together a holistic plan with the intention of preparing your body for the best possible results.
Using acupuncture for fertility can greatly increase the chance of becoming pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. It is safe, gentle, and offers lasting health benefits beyond fertility.
Three Ways Acupuncture Increases IVF Success Rates
According to the leading Illinois state licensed acupuncturists at Herb and Ohm, the top three impacts of acupuncture on fertility treatment are:
1. Decreased Stress and Anxiety
Stress and tension can wreak havoc on the body. By stimulating the brain to release natural endorphins and serotonin, acupuncture calms the mind, which in turn relaxes the body so it has energy to focus on fertility.
Research validates this: Studies confirm that acupuncture significantly reduces anxiety levels that occur before embryo transfer, with measurable improvements in state anxiety scores.
2. Increases Blood Flow
Acupuncture treatments to enhance fertility are targeted to increase blood flow to key organ systems to make them more receptive to the IVF process.
Research validates this: Scientific studies demonstrate that improved blood flow to reproductive organs through acupuncture creates a more optimal uterine environment for embryo implantation.
3. Reduction in Side Effects from IVF Medications
The introduction of multiple new medications required for fertility treatment can take a toll on your system. Your personal acupuncture experience can be tailored to decrease the unwanted side effects from these medications and leave you feeling more energetic and balanced.
Research validates this: Clinical trials show that acupuncture helps patients manage IVF medication side effects more effectively, improving overall treatment tolerance.
When to Start Acupuncture to Maximize IVF Success
The Three to Four Month Recommendation
Dr. Wolf suggests starting an acupuncture treatment with a licensed acupuncturist who understands fertility and women's issues in general at least three to four months prior to starting IVF. Since acupuncture is likewise helpful in regulating your menstrual cycle, if you can begin treatment a few months in advance of starting IVF, you'll give your body time to regulate and balance in preparation for the experience.
Research validates this: Studies show that longer treatment durations with multiple acupuncture sessions throughout the IVF cycle yield better reproductive outcomes than single-session protocols.
It's Never Too Late to Begin
Dr. Wolf emphasizes that it's never too late to introduce acupuncture and its many benefits if you're looking to become pregnant or bank your eggs. Fertility treatment requires a focus and energy that is often underestimated. By incorporating acupuncture at any time during your journey, we can meet you wherever you are on that journey and help. It's never too late to engage in a therapy that helps to improve your overall health and mental wellbeing, which will in turn have a positive impact on the outcome.
What the Research Shows About Acupuncture and IVF Success Rates
Scientific research supports what Herb and Ohm practitioners see in clinical practice:
Improved Clinical Pregnancy Rates: Multiple randomized controlled trials demonstrate that acupuncture administered during IVF cycles significantly improves clinical pregnancy rates compared to no acupuncture treatment.
Treatment Frequency Matters: Research confirms what Herb and Ohm practitioners recommend—that multiple acupuncture sessions throughout the IVF cycle produce better outcomes than minimal or single-session protocols.
Stress Reduction Impact: Studies validate that the stress and anxiety reduction provided by acupuncture creates measurable improvements in IVF outcomes, supporting Herb and Ohm's emphasis on this mechanism.
Blood Flow Benefits: Clinical evidence demonstrates that acupuncture's ability to increase blood flow to reproductive organs contributes to improved receptivity during the IVF process.
Expert Fertility Acupuncture in Chicago
Why Herb and Ohm for IVF Support
Dr. Amy Wolf is a Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), an international organization pioneering best practices in acupuncture and Oriental reproductive medicine. This fellowship includes advanced training in Western and Eastern reproductive medicine, the passing of a rigorous advanced certification exam, and the ability to work collaboratively with physicians to ensure patients receive the best care possible.
At Herb and Ohm, the highest priority is to help you better understand your body and your fertility using Traditional Chinese Medicine methods. The practice works as partners with you to create a comprehensive, customized treatment plan ranging from acupuncture and herbal medicine to lifestyle changes that can enhance fertility.
Acupuncture can be useful as a supportive treatment for any type of assisted reproductive therapy (IUI, IVF, FET, donor egg cycle, etc.). The specialized approach has helped achieve high levels of success and positive outcomes, even for the most challenging fertility cases.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach
Acupuncture is one of the oldest methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This healing technique aims to stimulate the body's immune system and strengthen its ability to heal itself. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles at precise locations that correspond to specific ailments or imbalances within the body.
Using TCM diagnostic tools and theory, acupuncturists at Herb and Ohm assess the body's condition and the underlying cause of imbalance, focusing on treating the root cause in order to treat the symptoms. This approach provides you with the best chance of a full recovery.
Additional Support Methods That May Enhance IVF Outcomes
Herb and Ohm may also incorporate additional TCM methods as part of your acupuncture treatment, depending on your symptoms:
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Uses combinations of plants and minerals to help stimulate the body's immune system and strengthen its ability to heal itself. Similar to acupuncture, Herbal Medicine is a powerful healing tool that can be used to address fertility concerns with minimal side effects.
Moxibustion: Involves burning an herb called Mugwort and applying the resulting heat to specific acupuncture points on the body. Moxibustion is used to gently stimulate acupuncture points or areas of the body in order to quicken the healing process.
What to Expect: Realistic Outcomes
Acupuncture treatments at Herb and Ohm are safe, gentle, and offer lasting health benefits. The therapy can greatly increase the chance of becoming pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy while providing minimal side effects.
Each patient receives a comprehensive, customized treatment plan that addresses their specific fertility needs and supports their IVF journey with personalized care.
Herb and Ohm is a luxury integrative medicine practice rooted in the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine, adapted to the needs of modern Chicagoans. The practice nurtures the mind, body, and spirit through acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, while recognizing the value and offerings of Western medicine, using acupuncture to complement and enhance conventional IVF treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture and IVF
Does acupuncture really help with IVF success?
Yes, acupuncture offers many benefits to women who are preparing for or currently undergoing assisted reproductive technology. According to Dr. Amy Wolf, a Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine, acupuncture can greatly increase the chance of becoming pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The top three impacts include decreased stress and anxiety, increased blood flow to key organ systems to make them more receptive to the IVF process, and reduction in side effects from IVF medications.
When should I start acupuncture before IVF?
Dr. Wolf suggests starting acupuncture treatment at least three to four months prior to starting IVF. Since acupuncture is helpful in regulating your menstrual cycle, beginning treatment a few months in advance of starting IVF gives your body time to regulate and balance in preparation for the experience. However, it's never too late to introduce acupuncture—you can incorporate it at any time during your fertility journey to help improve your overall health and mental wellbeing, which will in turn have a positive impact on the outcome.
What types of fertility treatments can acupuncture support?
Acupuncture can be useful as a supportive treatment for any type of assisted reproductive therapy including IUI, IVF, FET (frozen embryo transfer), and donor egg cycles. At Herb and Ohm, practitioners create a comprehensive, customized treatment plan ranging from acupuncture and herbal medicine to lifestyle changes that can enhance fertility. The specialized approach has helped achieve high levels of success and positive outcomes, even for the most challenging fertility cases.
Schedule Your Fertility Acupuncture Consultation
If you are currently undergoing or plan to undergo fertility treatment in the Chicago area, you should consider the benefits of adding acupuncture to your fertility plan. With Dr. Wolf's unique combination of personal IVF experience, advanced fertility specialization, and Traditional Chinese Medicine expertise, Herb and Ohm offers the specialized care that can make a difference in your IVF success rates.
Contact the experienced acupuncturists at Herb and Ohm in Chicago today to schedule your appointment and improve your IVF outcomes. Call 312-757-1882 today to learn more about how acupuncture can enhance fertility and improve your IVF outcomes.