Acupuncture and IVF: Mechanisms and Evidence

 Tiejun Tang      

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a common assisted reproductive technology used to help couples who struggle with infertility. While IVF has improved over the years, the success rate is very low and many couples may experience repeated cycles with no positive results. Acupuncture has been proposed as an adjunct therapy to improve the success rate of IVF. Can Acupuncture help to increase the success rate of IVF? (click to read the full text).This is a common question from many couples. I have written an article in 2015 on this topic and I published another paper in 2018 with my patient an editor and blogger Ellie Thompson , whom successfully had two IVF babies. The topic is Questions and answers about acupuncture support IVF (click to read the full text).. Many years past there are lot of new research progress in this field. This paper is to review the available evidence and proposed mechanisms of acupuncture for increasing the success rate of IVF.

Methodology: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. The search terms used were "acupuncture," "in vitro fertilization," "IVF," and "mechanism." The inclusion criteria were studies that investigated the effects of acupuncture on the success rate of IVF and proposed mechanisms of action. The studies were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and animal studies.

Results: A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. The RCTs included a total of 4,630 participants, and the systematic reviews included up to 24 RCTs. The studies investigated various acupuncture techniques, such as manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and laser acupuncture. The timing of acupuncture varied between studies, with some administering acupuncture before and after embryo transfer, while others performed it during controlled ovarian stimulation.

The results of the studies showed that acupuncture was associated with a higher clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) compared to IVF alone. The meta-analyses of the RCTs showed that acupuncture significantly increased the CPR (odds ratio [OR]=1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.58) and LBR (OR=1.42; 95% CI: 1.15-1.75).

Proposed Mechanisms: Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the beneficial effects of acupuncture on IVF success rates. These include:

1.   Improved uterine blood flow: Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which may improve the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the developing embryo. This can help to create a more favorable environment for implantation.

2  Regulation of hormones: Acupuncture has been shown to regulate the levels of reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones play a critical role in the development of the follicles and ovulation, as well as in the preparation of the uterus for implantation.

3. Reduced stress: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can have a negative impact on fertility. Stress can interfere with ovulation, disrupt the menstrual cycle, and reduce the chances of conception.

4. Increased embryo implantation: Acupuncture has been shown to increase the expression of genes that are involved in embryo implantation. This may improve the likelihood of successful embryo implantation and pregnancy.

Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that acupuncture can increase the success rate of IVF by improving the CPR and LBR. The proposed mechanisms of action include improved uterine blood flow, regulation of hormones, reduced stress, and increased embryo implantation. Acupuncture is a safe and non-invasive therapy that can be used as an adjunct to IVF to improve its success rate.

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