Fertility Women's Health General Wellness
Stillwater Acupuncture Clinic
IUI/IVF Support
At Stillwater, many of our patients have chosen to use assisted reproductive technology, ART. This can include treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cryopreservation, and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Dr. Eric Manheimer of the University of Maryland School of Medicine believes that "acupuncture used as part of ART may increase success rates by as much as 65%".
Acupuncture can be very beneficial to patients undergoing ART. In fact, most fertility clinics offer acupuncture as an adjunct to their services. Why? Because clinical research shows acupuncture positively influences the success rate of not just conceiving a viable pregnancy using ART, but of delivering a healthy baby at the end of that pregnancy.
"The British Medical Journal recently published an analysis that compiled all of the current research data on the effects of acupuncture and in vitro fertility. Of the clinical trials investigated, the team of researchers found that almost all trials reported positive findings. Taken collectively, they showed a 65% increase in establishment of pregnancy, an 87% increase in continuing pregnancy and a 91% increase in live births"
-- (Texas Center for Reproductive Acupunture)
How will acupuncture increase the effectiveness of IUI/IVF treatment?
At Stillwater, we like to see women in the three months leading up to their ART procedure. This enables women to benefit from physiological changes like increased blood flow to the uterus, healthy cervical mucus, increased thickness of the uterine lining, balanced hormones, improved ovarian function, enhanced immunity, reduced stress or anxiety, improved sleep.
Acupuncture before and after their IUI / IVF transfer will also reduce the chance of miscarriage by calming uterine spasms, relieving stress and promoting successful implantation. Acupuncture will also lessen the side effects of medications.
So whether you are planning to have an ART procedure or you are in the middle of an ART procedure, acupuncture is proven to increase success rates. Call now to have all your questions answered!