1. A three to four month course of TCM that precedes any ART procedures. It takes 4 months and 3 months for eggs and sperm to fully mature, respectively. Taking herbal medicine and acupuncture during this time can improve their quality, as well as the patient’s subsequent response to ART.
2. Concurrent TCM/ART treatment. Conventional MDs often prohibit use of herbs during fertility drug therapy, but acupuncture alone plays a very useful role for egg retrieval and Embryo Transfer, as well as implantation. Several scientific studies have confirmed this. According to Dr. Paul Magarelli, an American fertility specialist, using acupuncture in this way can increase IVF’s success by 10-15%.
STUDIES
infertility 1 1. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy Paulus W et al, Fertility and Sterility 2002 77;721-724 Women who received acupuncture at the time of embryo transfer had a 42.5% pregnancy rate at 6 weeks, versus a 26.3% pregnancy rate for women who did not receive acupuncture.
2. Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women; a prospective, randomized trial Westergaard L et al, Fertility and Sterility 2006, 85, p1341-1346.
3. Acupuncture and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Zhang M et al, J Huazhong University Med Sci 2002;22(3):228-230 After acupuncture treatment, motility increased by 7% normal morphology by 5% and fertilization rates by 26%.
4. Herbs which strengthen Spleen Yang and nourish Heart Blood treat PCOS Hua L et al, Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi, 2003 Nov;23(11):819-811 Women with PCOS were treated with either Chinese herbs or Clomid. The Body Mass Index, testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in the herb group was significantly reduced, and 66% became pregnant. The Clomid group experienced no change in the above markers, and only 25% became pregnant.
5. Acupuncture and sperm morphology a.Gurfinkel E et al Asian J Andrology 2003 Dec;5(4):345-348 Controlled study with 19 infertile men randomized into 2 groups 1st given 20 acupuncture treatments, 2nd given sham acupuncture. Significant increase in the % of normal forms in acupuncture group.
b. Pei J et al Fertility and Sterility, 2005 Jul;84(1):141-147 Controlled study with 28 infertile men. after 10 acupuncture treatments, there was a significant improvement in sperm quality, especially morphology.
6. Kidney supplementing herbs support implantation Wu R & Zhou F Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2002;22(7):490-3. The herbs enhanced receptors in endometrium in mid-luteal phase, promoted the differentiation of endometrium and raised the level of midluteal phase serum progesterone, all of which make the uterus more receptive to implantation.
7. Kang Mian herbal formula in 2062 cases of immune infertility Da Y et al J TCM 2005; 25(4), 278-281 After taking the treatment. 85% of women became antibody negative and 37% became pregnant.