Acupuncture and IVF Treatment for Infertility
29 April 2008
Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis.
A recent meta-analysis reported in the prestigious British Medical Journal of 7 clinical trials involving 1366 women who underwent IVF treatment for infertility has found that acupuncture, administered within a day of embryo transfer, led to significantly increased rates of pregnancy and live births when compared to either sham (pretend) acupuncture or no acupuncture at all.
Women who received acupuncture were around 65% more likely to become pregnant and 91% more likely to have a live birth. The authors of the study conclude:
“Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilization”.
This is a significant endorsement for the use of acupuncture as part of the standard care programme during IVF treatment.