What treatments we typically prescribe?
About your Condition
Preparing for IVF with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Optimise Your Fertility Pre-IVF:
If you are considering starting IVF, incorporating herbal medicine and Moxibustion (Moxi-Acupuncture) can be beneficial. Taking 2-3 months to adjust your internal environment can significantly improve egg quality and enhance overall conception chances. This preparatory phase is crucial for optimising your body’s reproductive health.
Acupuncture During Your IVF Cycle:
Once your IVF treatment begins, especially after starting hormone injections, it’s advisable to adjust your treatment approach. Herbal medicine may not be recommended in conjunction with hormone treatments due to potential interactions. Instead, Moxi-Acupuncture becomes the optimal choice for supporting follicle nourishment and endometrial lining growth. Regular sessions, typically 1-2 times per week, can enhance these effects.
Tailored Acupuncture Points for Each IVF Phase:
Regardless of your stage in the IVF process, the selection of acupuncture points and treatment strategies vary significantly between the follicular phase and the luteal phase of your cycle. It’s imperative to communicate the specifics of your menstrual cycle to your practitioner. This enables a more tailored and effective treatment plan, ensuring that you receive the most appropriate acupuncture care tailored to your IVF timeline.
Why Tailored Acupuncture Matters:
Tailored acupuncture treatments ensure that each phase of your IVF process is supported by specific techniques that enhance reproductive health and improve the chances of a successful pregnancy. This personalised approach is critical in managing the unique hormonal and physiological changes that occur throughout IVF treatment.
Symptoms
- Unable to conceive naturally
Results
Results can varies to different couples, depends on age and health background. But there are some other indications can be monitoring how much benefit you have gain from the treatment, such as stress level, sleeping quality and period condition.
Causes of the condition
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment where eggs are fertilized by sperm outside the body in a laboratory. It’s a common assisted reproductive technology used to help individuals and couples conceive when natural conception is difficult or not possible. IVF involves several steps, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo transfer.
Benefits of acupuncture for the condition
Comprehensive Benefits of Acupuncture for IVF:
Acupuncture provides a holistic approach to enhancing fertility treatments, specifically in vitro fertilisation (IVF). At AcuPro Clinic in London, we specialise in acupuncture treatments designed to optimise your IVF success. Our approach includes:
- Enhancing Fertility: By increasing blood flow to reproductive organs and regulating hormone levels, acupuncture can improve the conditions necessary for successful conception.
- Reducing Stress: The IVF process can be stressful. Acupuncture helps promote relaxation and reduce stress levels, which is crucial for hormonal balance and overall reproductive health.
- Supporting Embryo Implantation: Our targeted treatments focus on improving the uterine environment, which enhances the chances of embryo implantation.
Personalised Acupuncture Care:
We provide personalised care that adapts to the unique needs of each individual or couple undergoing IVF. Our experienced practitioners use gentle techniques to ensure comfort and effectiveness throughout your treatment journey. With our support, many of our patients report navigating the IVF process with increased ease and confidence.
Treatment process
Our acupuncture treatment process for IVF support begins with a comprehensive assessment of your fertility history, IVF protocol, and overall health. During the IVF cycle, acupuncture sessions are strategically timed to coincide with key stages of the treatment, such as ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and the two-week wait period. Fine needles are gently inserted into specific acupoints to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and optimize reproductive function.
Prevention tips
Prior to starting IVF treatment, it’s essential to prepare both physically and emotionally for the process. Our experienced acupuncturists work closely with individuals and couples undergoing IVF to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs and IVF protocol. This may include recommendations for dietary modifications, lifestyle adjustments, stress management techniques, and acupuncture sessions to support overall well-being and fertility.
Testimonials
Research and studies
There have been various studies conducted by reputable institutions and organizations that have explored the potential benefits of acupuncture in supporting IVF outcomes.
Some noteworthy research institutions and organizations that have contributed to the body of research on acupuncture and IVF include:
- The Cochrane Collaboration: This global independent network of researchers and healthcare professionals conducts systematic reviews of healthcare interventions, including studies on acupuncture and IVF.
- The British Acupuncture Council: This professional body in the UK promotes high standards of practice, research, and education in acupuncture. They have conducted research and compiled resources related to acupuncture and IVF.
- The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM): ASRM has published guidelines and statements on the use of complementary and alternative medicine, including acupuncture, as an adjunct to fertility treatments.
- Various universities and fertility clinics: Numerous academic institutions and fertility centers have conducted their own studies exploring the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes. These studies are often published in scientific journals and contribute to the collective knowledge on the subject.
It’s important to note that while there is some research suggesting potential benefits of acupuncture in supporting IVF, the overall evidence is still evolving, and more high-quality studies are needed to establish definitive conclusions. It is recommended that individuals interested in exploring acupuncture as a complementary therapy during IVF consult with their healthcare providers and seek practitioners who are appropriately trained and licensed in acupuncture.
Risk Factors
While acupuncture is generally safe, it’s essential to inform your acupuncturist about any pre-existing medical conditions or medications you’re taking, especially if you’re undergoing fertility treatment such as IVF. Your acupuncturist will tailor the treatment plan to ensure your safety and optimize the benefits of acupuncture for IVF support.
Lifestyle recommendations
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption that may negatively impact fertility.
- Practice stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or acupuncture to manage anxiety and promote relaxation during the IVF process.
- Communicate openly with your healthcare providers and acupuncturist about your concerns, questions, and treatment preferences to ensure a collaborative approach to your fertility journey.
Aftercare advice
After each acupuncture session, prioritize rest, hydration, and relaxation to support your body’s response to treatment and enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture for IVF support. Follow any recommendations provided by your acupuncturist, such as dietary adjustments or lifestyle modifications, to optimize your chances of success during the IVF cycle. Additionally, maintain open communication with your fertility clinic and acupuncturist throughout the process to address any concerns and adjust your treatment plan as needed.