Acupuncture in Fertility: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Research

Acupuncture, an ancient practice that involves the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the body, has gained popularity as a complementary therapy for fertility. This article will explore the benefits of acupuncture for fertility, its mechanisms of action, and a summary of some of the research evaluating its use.

Does Acupuncture Help Fertility Outcomes?

Acupuncture benefits fertility in several ways, including:

• Improves pregnancy rates
• Increases eggs retrieved in IVF, particularly in individuals with low egg count
• Improves progesterone and implantation rates
• Improves the lining thickness of the endometrium
• Improves sperm motility and concentration

There are several studies outlining the benefits. A meta-analysis of 27 trials involving 6116 participants found a significant difference between acupuncture and control groups in terms of pregnancy rates (RR = 1.21). In another meta-analysis by Zhou in 2022, 29 studies, with 6623 individuals undergoing IVF, were reviewed to see if acupuncture vs no acupuncture made a difference in embryo transfer success rates. Significantly higher outcomes with acupuncture were seen in biochemical pregnancy (OR, 1.98); clinical pregnancy (OR, 1.70); ongoing pregnancy (OR, 1.78); and live birth (OR, 1.58) compared to controls who did not receive acupuncture. There was no difference in outcome for miscarriage (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.48–1.92, p = 0.91). The study also found no difference in outcome when comparing acupuncture vs sham-acupuncture. This is an interesting point to note, since it is thought that the sham-acupuncture does influence local nerve endings to elicit an effect, and therefore is not a good control method.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture needles are inserted into very specific points on the body to create an effect. These points stimulate the surrounding nerves, leading to the release of neurochemicals that have a local and systemic effect, creating the following effects:

• Improves blood flow to the area locally
• Regulation of hormones through the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis
• Alleviation of stress, anxiety or depression, which indirectly improves hormone function

Acupuncture has the potential to positively influence various components of the female reproductive system through neuroendocrine signalling pathways. A comprehensive review by Xu (2022) offers an insightful overview of studies detailing specific mechanisms and reproductive outcomes.

• Acupuncture increases the estradiol and progesterone levels in IVF patients and promotes the endometrial artery blood flow.
• Acupuncture significantly improves blood estradiol levels, the number of eggs retrieved, and the number of high-quality embryos in IVF patients.
• IVF-ET patients treated with acupuncture had a higher live birth rate and a lower state-trait anxiety inventory-1 (STAI-1) score.
• Electroacupuncture (EA) improves the number of eggs retrieved by IVF by inhibiting granulosa cell apoptosis, showing a decrease in BAX and increase in BCL-2 expression

Electroacupuncture (EA) comprises stimulating the acupuncture needles with microcurrent waves to enhance the effect of acupuncture. Neural signals generated by EA stimulation are found to cause the hypothalamus to release endogenous opioids, such as β-endorphins, which are thought to play an essential role in regulating the effects of stress on reproductive function thereby affecting the secretion of GnRH and gonadotropins.

Mechanisms of Acupuncture In Fertility (Xu, 2022)

How Often Should you get Acupuncture

Generally, it is helpful to start acupuncture 2-3 months before conception or the expected fertility treatment, such as IUI or IVF. The frequency of treatment may vary depending on individual conditions, but a general guideline is:

• Preconception: Once per week
• During IUI/IVF: 2 times per week
• During implantation: 1 time per week
• During the first trimester: 1 time per week

While acupuncture may not be helpful for all, it can be a valuable complementary therapy, offering a range of benefits, such as improving pregnancy rates, modifying hormones, and reducing stress. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about acupuncture for fertility, please contact the clinic [email protected] or book an introductory call with Dr. Murphy, ND HERE

Want to try acupuncture? Book an acupuncture visit in our clinic Click Here

References:

1. Zhou X, Li X, Ding H, Lu Y. Acupuncture effects on in-vitro fertilization pregnancy outcomes: A meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2022;46:101525.
2. Xu J yu, Zhao A lan, Xin P, Geng J ze, Wang B juan, Xia T. Acupuncture for Female Infertility: Discussion on Action Mechanism and Application. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:3854117.
3. Feng X, Zhu N, Yang S, et al. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation improves endometrial receptivity resulting in improved IVF-ET pregnancy outcomes in older women: a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 2022;20(1):127.
4. Hullender Rubin LE, Smith CA, Schnyer RN, Tahir P, Pasch LA. Effect of acupuncture on IVF-related anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reproductive BioMedicine Online. 2022;45(1):69-80.