subject: Improve Your Chances Of Conceiving Using Both Acupuncture And Ivf [print this page] If you are currently undergoing IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatment, a recent study demonstrates that you may wish to also pursue acupuncture as well. In a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2008, over 1300 women were subject to controlled and randomized trials involving both acupuncture and IVF. The study found that the women who used both acupuncture and IVF had the highest rate of conception - over 65% greater than the women using IVF alone. These women also had a much greater success in bringing the baby to term (91% higher than those not using the acupuncture treatment).
Often natural fertility treatments such as acupuncture are seen as at odds with standard medical fertility practice using IVF, fertility drugs and similar practices. In fact, doctors have often historically discouraged women from using natural fertility treatments, suggesting they are ineffective at best. However, in recent years there has been greater acceptance and willingness to at least study many of these natural treatment methods, and acupuncture is one practice that has consistently proved itself in scientific studies.
The study originally published in the British Medical Journal (and since reaffirmed in similar scientific studies) suggests otherwise. The way that acupuncture works is not yet clearly understood by scientists, but many speculate that it has something to do with the reduction of stress levels which is known to have a negative impact on fertility.
For women interested in using natural fertility treatments exclusively, this study as shows promise as it suggests that these treatments may be most successful when combined with other natural treatment methods such as herbs, dietary changes and fertility massage. There is reason to suspect that as with IVF treatment, acupuncture can help other natural fertility treatments be more successful by contributing to the reduction of stress in women undergoing these natural treatment methods.
