Fertility Acupuncture

Thank you for your help and encouragement. After 3 miscarriages, I didn’t think being pregnant for a full term was possible. You made it possible!: The ‘C’ family, Toronto, Ontario.
I appreciate everything you and Linda did for me last year (yucky herbs and all!). R- is sweet (and photogenic), born May 2. Thank you.: Stefanie, Toronto, Ontario
Dear David … thank you for all you have done for us. … I had given up hope of ever having a baby. With your encouragement we gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in December. We are eternally grateful for this gift you have given us.: Thanks again, S.
Dearest Lily, Thank you so much for your warm and compassionate care. You enabled my dearest wish to come true. I will be forever deeply grateful to you: Warmest regards, D.
Thanks to Linda cannot nearly express what you have done for us. Your expertise, knowledge, and experience are truly a gift. Sincerely and with much gratitude,: Jennifer OXOXO, Toronto, Ontario
Every time I look at my tummy I think of you guys at Total Wellness Centre.: Na-, Toronto, Ontario
Thank you for taking such good care of us and helping us to conceive, nurture and deliver our precious S-! All the best to you and all those in your care.: Love K, S., S., Toronto, Ontario

Infertility Studies

• A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health and the University of Oxford shows evidence that stress affects fertility. Researchers charted the ovulation cycles of 274 English women aged 18-40 years who were trying to conceive, and who participated in the Oxford Conception Study led by Cecilia Pyper, MB.BS. On the sixth day of her cycle, each woman collected a sample of her saliva, which was subsequently tested for alpha-amylase, an indicator of the body’s response to physical or psychological stress. The women’s saliva samples were also analyzed for cortisol, another hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Each woman took part in the study until she became pregnant, or at the end of six menstrual cycles. Stress significantly reduced the probability of conception each day during the fertile window, possibly exerting its effect through the sympathetic medullar pathway. CONCLUSION: The researchers found that, all other factors being equal, women with high alpha-amylase levels were less likely to conceive than were women with low levels, during the fertile window-- the six days when conception is most likely to occur. Researchers did not find a correlation between cortisol levels and the chances of conception.

"The study results suggest that finding safe ways to alleviate stress may play a role in helping couples become pregnant," said Alan E. Guttmacher, M.D., director of the NICHD. "Women trying to get pregnant should identify the stressors in their lives and work to alleviate them through yoga, acupuncture or relaxation therapy", suggests Dr. William Hurd, division chief of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.¹

• This study aimed to assess the effect of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) in the management of female infertility and on pregnancy rates compared with Western Medical (WM) treatment.

The study suggests that management of female infertility with Chinese Herbal Medicine can improve pregnancy rates 2-fold within a 4 month period compared with Western Medical fertility drug therapy or IVF. Assessment of the quality of the menstrual cycle, integral to TCM diagnosis, appears to be fundamental to successful treatment of female infertility.³⁷

• This study aimed to evaluate whether acupuncture improves the rates of pregnancy and live birth when used as an adjuvant treatment to embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation. Eligible studies where randomised controlled trials that compared needle acupuncture administered within one day of embryo transfer with sham acupuncture or no adjuvant treatment, with reported outcomes of at least one of clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, or live birth were compared. Seven trials with 1366 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation were included in the meta-analyses. Complementing the embryo transfer process with acupuncture was associated with significant and clinically relevant improvements in clinical pregnancy (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 2.14; number needed to treat (NNT) 10 (7 to 17); seven trials), ongoing pregnancy (1.87, 1.40 to 2.49; NNT 9 (6 to 15); five trials), and live birth (1.91, 1.39 to 2.64; NNT 9 (6 to 17); four trials). Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation by up to 65%.³

• Swedish researchers looked at the role that acupuncture can play in the treatment of infertility and in particular its effect on uterine blood flow.⁴ The pool of women used as test subjects had infertility problems and were diagnosed with decreased blood flow into the uterus which affects endometrial receptivity. When there is a decreased flow of blood into the uterus, treatment options are few and conception is difficult. Using specific points which correspond to the innervation of the uterus, researchers measured the amount of blood flow in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the blood flow into the uterus with the acupuncture treatment. Researchers attributed the effect of acupuncture to its influence on increased uterine arterial blood flow into the uterus which in turn would increase the chance for oocyte implantation.

• Researchers in Germany looked at the traditional methods of acupuncture to determine its efficacy with the use of traditional points based on Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with assisted reproductive techniques with embryo transfer (in vitro fertilization or IVF).⁵ The acupoints chosen were used to relax the uterus. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate whether acupuncture accompanying embryo transfer increases clinical pregnancy rates.

A total of 160 patients participated in the study, 80 patients receiving acupuncture and assisted reproductive techniques and 80 patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques without acupuncture. Treatment consisted of an acupuncture treatment before and after IVF. The results showed that the pregnancy rate for the acupuncture group was considerably higher than the control (42.5% acupuncture group versus 26.3% control group). Acupuncture is a useful tool for improving the pregnancy rate after ART.

• The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the use of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy for in vitro fertilization (IVF), including an evidence-based evaluation of its efficacy and safety and an examination of possible mechanisms of action. Evidence from clinical trials and case series suggests that acupuncture may improve the success rate of IVF and the quality of life of patients undergoing IVF and that it is a safe adjunct therapy. The reviewed literature suggests 4 possible mechanisms by which acupuncture could improve the outcome of IVF: modulating neuroendocrinological factors; increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries; modulating cytokines; and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.⁶

• Some centres across North America now use assisted reproductive techniques combined with acupuncture. A fertility centre in Colorado Springs, Colorado utilizes both techniques.⁷ The protocol used combines both techniques reported on in the Swedish and German research papers. Initially, the patient undergoes two treatments a week for four weeks of treatment before the IVF transfer which prepares the uterus’ endometrium for implantation by increasing arterial blood flow using acupoints based on the Swedish study. Pre- and post-embryo transfer, the patient is given acupuncture to relax the uterus as outlined in the German study.

There, results show that 16% more women get pregnant and 23% are having births. This combined technique of acupuncture with IVF is superior to IVF alone.

• Researchers attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture on the reproductive outcome in patients treated with IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the group that received acupuncture as compared with controls (37 of 95 [39%] vs. 21 of 87 [26%] and 34 of 95 [36%] vs. 19 of 87 [22%]). Researchers concluded that acupuncture significantly improves the reproductive outcome of IVF/ICSI, compared with no acupuncture.⁸

• Acupuncture and Poor IVF Responders; A further study in April 2004 confirmed a significant increase in the number of pregnancies in patients who demonstrated elevated peak FSH and a longer history of infertility. This study had an IVF pregnancy rate of 53% in the acupuncture group compared to 38% in the non-acupuncture control group.⁹

• Acupuncture Reduces Pain After IVF. In this study, 286 women were randomly assigned to receive either electroacupuncture plus para-cervical block or alfentanil (a powerful analgesic) plus paracervical block during oocyte aspiration (egg retrieval). Both interventions induced adequate analgesia, however the electroacupuncture group reported significantly less abdominal pain, other pain, nausea and stress than the medication group, and required significantly less additional analgesic medication.¹⁰

• This study was designed to determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher in the group that received acupuncture than in the control group (15.6% and 13.8%). The study concluded that luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.¹³

• Over a period of three years, acupuncture was offered to patients entering assisted reproduction therapy. Acupuncture sessions were given at varying, but usually weekly, intervals during the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle, and immediately before and after embryo transfer. Twenty two patients (average age 36.2 years) were treated over a total of 26 IVF cycles and 15 pregnancies were achieved, as determined by presence of foetal heartbeat on ultrasound at four weeks post embryo transfer. There was a success rate of 57.7% in the acupuncture group compared with 45.3% for patients in the IVF unit not treated with acupuncture (P > 0.05). Relaxing effects were noted following acupuncture and it is speculated that this may have contributed to the increase in pregnancy rate for the acupuncture group.¹⁴

• The aim of this study was to summarise the evidence from systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses assessing the efficacy of acupuncture in treating common gynaecologic conditions. Six electronic databases, including two major English-language databases (PubMed and the Cochrane Library) and four Korean databases, were systematically searched for SRs and meta-analyses concerned with acupuncture and common gynaecologic diseases. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire. Of the 55 potentially relevant studies that were found, 16 SRs were included in this report. The study concluded that acupuncture was clearly beneficial in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In addition, current evidence suggests that acupuncture administered close to embryo transfer during in vitro fertilisation treatment improves the rates of pregnancy and live birth. ¹⁷

• The purpose of this study was to determine whether 25OH-D (vitamin D) levels in the follicular fluid (FF) of infertile women undergoing IVF demonstrate a relationship with IVF cycle parameters and outcome, hypothesizing that levels of 25OH-D in body fluids are reflective of vitamin repletion status. Eighty-four infertile women undergoing IVF were studied. Serum and FF levels of 25OH-D were highly correlated (r = 0.94). Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed FF 25OH-D levels as an independent predictor to success of an IVF cycle; adjusting for age, body mass index, ethnicity, and number of embryos transferred, each ng/mL increase in FF 25OH-D increased the likelihood for achieving clinical pregnancy by 6%. CONCLUSION: Our findings that women with higher vitamin D level in their serum and FF are significantly more likely to achieve clinica pregnancy following IVF-embryo transfer are novel. A potential for benefit of vitamin D supplementation on treatment success in infertile patients undergoing IVF is suggested and merits further investigation. ³⁸

• The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on self-efficacy for women receiving acupuncture for fertility support. Pretest and posttest measurement of infertility self-efficacy was conducted in this prospective observational study. Subjects were recruited from three acupuncture practices in South Eastern Australia. Women aged 18 to 45 years presenting for acupuncture treatment for natural conception or as an adjunct to assisted reproductive technology participated in this study. Consecutive new patients were invited to take part if they were planning a minimum of four acupuncture treatments as part of a current episode of care. The study found a significant increase in total infertility self-efficacy scale (ISE) scores from baseline and after four acupuncture treatments (N = 13; t [12] = 3.15, P = .008). Four women showed clinically significant improvement on ISE total scores using the significant change index. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggests that acupuncture improves self-efficacy and psychological coping for women experiencing delays with falling pregnant.¹⁹

endometriosis

polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• This study, conducted by neuroscientists in Stochholm, Sweden, aimed to determine whether low-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) would benefit Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by decreasing hyperandrogenism and improve oligo/amenorrhea more effectively than physical exercise or no intervention. Scientists randomized 84 women with PCOS, aged 18-37 yr, to 16 wk of low-frequency EA, physical exercise, or no intervention. The primary outcome measure changes in the concentration of total testosterone (T) at week 16. Secondary outcome measures were changes in menstrual frequency; concentrations of androgens, estrogens, androgen precursors, and glucuronidated androgen metabolites; and acne and hirsutism. Both acupuncture and exercise improved menstrual frequency and decreased the levels of several sex steroids at week 16 and at the 16-wk follow-up compared with no intervention. Low-frequency electro-acupuncture and physical exercise improved hyperandrogenism and menstrual frequency more effectively than no intervention in women with PCOS. Conclusion: Low-frequency electro-acupuncture was superior to physical exercise and may be useful for treating hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea.²

• A clinical and experimental study of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in the past 45 years. The study included observations on the induction of ovulation with acupuncture, and the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using acupuncture and herbal remedies. Acupuncture and herbs successfully promoted ovulation, affected serum FSH, and resolved the PCOS, resulting in ovulation.¹¹

• This study was designed to evaluate if electro-acupuncture (EA) could affect oligo-/anovulation and related endocrine and neuroendocrine parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Repeated EA treatments induced regular ovulations in more than one third of the women with PCOS. Electro-acupuncture offers an alternative to pharmacological ovulation induction.¹²

• The researchers in this study looked at one group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome who received a specific type of acupuncture called “electro-acupuncture” for four months. A second group of women were provided with heart rate monitors and instructed to exercise at least three times a week. A third group received no intervention. The study showed that activity in the sympathetic nervous system was lower in the women who received acupuncture and in those who took regular exercise than it was in the control group. The acupuncture treatment brought further benefits. Those who received acupuncture found that their menstruation became more "normal". In addition, those that received acupuncture had their levels of testosterone reduced significantly. This is important because elevated testosterone levels are closely connected with the increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system of women. The researchers concluded that acupuncture and exercise can bring relief to women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).¹⁶

• The aim of this study was to review studies on acupuncture in reproductive medicine, in experimental and clinical settings. Studies suggest that acupuncture effects are mediated by changes in activity of the autonomic nervous system and stimulation of neuropeptides/neurotransmitters which may be involved in the pathogenesis of infertility. This study found there is evidence of benefit mainly when acupuncture is performed on the day of embryo transfer (ET) in the live birth rate. There was also found to be benefit when acupuncture is performed for female infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There is evidence of sperm quality improvement when acupuncture is performed on males affected by idiopathic infertility. Conclusions: Acupuncture seems to have beneficial effects on live birth rate when performed on the day of ET, and to be useful also in PCOS as well as in male idiopathic infertility, with very low incidence of side effects.¹⁸

anovulation

research on acupuncture during pregnancy

• Acupuncture treatment reduces pelvic and back pain in pregnancy. In this Swedish study, 72 pregnant women suffering from pelvic or low back pain were randomly assigned to an acupuncture group or a control group. Traditional acupuncture points were needled in individualised treatments, once or twice a week until the disappearance of symptoms or delivery in the acupuncture group. Treatment was given for at least three weeks, twice weekly for the first two weeks, then once a week. The control group received no treatment. During the study period the pain decreased in 60% of patients in the acupuncture group compared to 14% of the controls, dropping to 43% and 9% respectively at the end of the study.²⁰

• Moxibustion aids in the correction of breech presentation. Traditional Chinese medicine uses moxibustion (burning herbs to stimulate acupuncture points) of acupoint BL 67 (Zhiyin, located beside the outer corner of the fifth toenail), to promote version of fetuses in breech presentation. 130 subjects were randomized to the intervention group received stimulation of acupoint BL 67 by moxa (Japanese term for Artemisia vulgaris) rolls for 7 days, with treatment for an additional 7 days if the fetus persisted in the breech presentation. The 130 subjects randomized to the control group received routine care but no interventions for breech presentation. Subjects with persistent breech presentation after 2 weeks of treatment could undergo external cephalic version anytime between 35 weeks' gestation and delivery. Among primigravidas with breech presentation during the 33rd week of gestation, moxibustion for 1 to 2 weeks increased fetal activity during the treatment period and cephalic presentation after the treatment period and at delivery.²¹

• In many Western countries breech presentation is an indication for elective Cesarean section. In order to correct fetal presentation, the stimulation of the acupoint BL67 by moxibustion, acupuncture or both has been proposed. Since no studies had previously been carried out on Western populations, pregnant Italian women at 33–35 weeks gestational age carrying a fetus in breech presentation were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial involving an active BL67 point stimulation and an observation group.A total of 240 women at 33–35 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus in breech presentation were randomized to receive active treatment (acupuncture plus moxibustion) or to be assigned to the observation group. The study concluded that acupuncture plus moxibustion is more effective than observation in revolving fetuses in breech presentation. Such a method appears to be a valid option for women willing to experience a natural birth.²²

• The objective of this study was to review the effectiveness of needle acupuncture in treating the common and disabling problem of pelvic and back pain in pregnancy. Acupuncture, as an adjunct to standard treatment, was superior to standard treatment alone and physiotherapy in relieving mixed pelvic/back pain. Women with well-defined pelvic pain had greater relief of pain with a combination of acupuncture and standard treatment, compared to standard treatment alone or stabilizing exercises and standard treatment. Evidence supports the proposition that acupuncture useful in treating pregnancy-related pelvic and back pain.²³

• This study compared ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates in spontaneous users and non-users of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) during a 12-month period of assisted reproduction technique (ART) treatment. 728 women about to have ART for the first time completed self-report assessments prior to treatment. The ongoing pregnancy and live birth rate was 31.3% lower in CAM users (42.2%) compared with non-users (61.4%). The researchers concluded ONLY that concurrent CAM use should be monitored during ART. A main limitation to this study was that the researchers could not ascertain which type of CAM was most associated with lower pregnancy rates. Acupuncture was not specifically studied. Total Wellness Centre insists that all patients undergoing concurrent Western fertility and traditional Chinese medical treatments inform both their medical doctor and TCM practitioner of all treatments they are undergoing.²⁴

• Acupuncture aids in the treatment of depression during pregnancy. A total of 150 pregnant women who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria for major depressive disorder were randomized to receive either acupuncture specific for depression or one of two active controls: control acupuncture or massage. Treatments lasted 8 weeks (12 sessions). Fifty-two women were randomized to acupuncture specific for depression, 49 to control acupuncture, and 49 to massage. Women who received acupuncture specific for depression experienced a greater rate of decrease in symptom severity compared with the combined controls or control acupuncture alone. They also had significantly greater response rate (63.0%) than the combined controls (44.3%) and control acupuncture alone (37.5%). Symptom reduction and response rates did not differ significantly between controls (control acupuncture, 37.5%; massage, 50.0%). CONCLUSION: The short acupuncture protocol demonstrated symptom reduction and a response rate comparable to those observed in standard depression treatments (pharmaceuticals) of similar length and could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy, or for depression in the general population. The potential risk to the fetus associated with pharmaceuticals can be avoided using natural therapies such as acupuncture.²⁵

Menopause

• Researchers found seven weeks of acupuncture treatment reduced the severity of nighttime hot flashes by twenty-eight percent among menopausal women compared with a six percent decrease among women who had a sham (placebo) acupuncture treatment.

Researchers compared the effects of acupuncture and placebo acupuncture treatment on the severity and frequency of nighttime hot flashes. Twenty-nine menopausal women experiencing at least seven moderate to severe hot flashes per day took part in the study.

All of the women underwent nine treatments from trained acupuncturists in sessions over seven weeks. Twelve of the women received real acupuncture using points selected to target hot flashes and sleepiness. The rest of the women received a sham acupuncture treatment using non-penetrating needles at random acupuncture channel points.

Throughout the study, the women reported the number and severity of their hot flashes. The results showed that nighttime hot flash severity decreased significantly (28 percent) among the women who received acupuncture versus. a 6 percent drop among the women who got the sham treatment. However, they did not see a similar finding in the frequency of nighttime hot flashes between the two groups.

Researcher Mary Huang, M.S., of Stanford University, and colleagues say the results suggest acupuncture deserves further study as an alternative treatment for menopausal hot flashes.

The findings are published in the September 2006 issue of Fertility and Sterility.³⁴

• According to a study published by the School of Health Sciences at the Victoria University of Melbourne city, Australia, acupuncture, herbal medicine and Tai Ji exercise can be applied to prevent and treat osteoporosis. These treatments can be effective, if they are applied correctly. The therapies may also be used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, as well as the general maintenance of women's health during menopause.³⁵

• Researchers observed the effects of acupuncture plus acupoint sticking of Migudan on bone mass density (BMD) and pain in patients with primary osteoporosis. Changes in BMD and cumulative scores of pain after treatment were investigated. The researchers found that acupuncture plus acupoint sticking of Migudan has definite therapeutic effects on primary osteoporosis and pain management.³⁶

male studies

• The aim of this controlled study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture on the sperm quality of males suffering from subfertility related to sperm impairment. Semen samples of 16 acupuncture-treated subfertile patients were analyzed before and one month after treatment (twice a week for 5 weeks). In parallel, semen samples of 16 control untreated subfertile males were examined. Two specimens were taken from the control group at an interval of two-eight months. The fertility index increased significantly (p <.05) following improvement in total functional sperm fraction, percentage of viability, total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, and integrity of the axonema (p <.05), which occurred upon treatment. The intactness of axonema and sperm motility were highly correlated (corr. = .50,p < .05). This study strongly suggests patients exhibiting a low fertility potential due to reduced sperm activity may benefit from acupuncture treatment.²⁶

• Forty men with idiopathic oligospermia, asthenospermia, or teratozoospermia were studied.²⁷ Twenty eight of the patients received acupuncture twice a week over a period of 5 weeks. The samples from the treatment group were randomized with semen samples from the 12 men in the untreated control group. Statistical evaluation using transmission electron microscopy data showed a statistically significant increase after acupuncture in the percentage and number of sperm without ultrastructural defects in the total ejaculates. A statistically significant improvement was detected in acrosome position and shape, nuclear shape, axonemal pattern and shape, and accessory fibers of sperm organelles. The treatment of idiopathic male infertility could benefit from employing acupuncture. A general improvement of sperm quality, specifically in the ultrastructural integrity of spermatozoa, was seen after acupuncture, although we did not identify specific sperm pathologies that could be particularly sensitive to this therapy.

• Researchers searched for the best method for increasing the quality of abnormal sperm. One hundred and sixty-eight cases of infertility were randomly divided into a treatment group of 85 cases and a control group of 83 cases. The treatment group were treated with needle-picking (acupuncture) at specific bilateral points. Their therapeutic effects were observed in 3 hospitals. The study resulted in a total effectiveness rate of 83.5% and a pregnancy rate of the patient's partner of 78.8% in the treatment group, and a corresponding rate of 54.2% and 43.4% in the control group, which represents a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Reproductive hormones improved significantly after treatment (P < 0.01); after treatment, superoxide dismulase (SOD) activity and Zn content in semen were elevated and cadmium level decreased significantly in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

The research shows that needle-picking therapy (acupuncture) can significantly improve and regulate endocrine function, increase the quality of semen and elevate pregnancy rate of the patient's partner for the patient of primary abnormal sperm. ²⁸

• Classic therapies are usually ineffective in the treatment of patients with very poor sperm density. This study aimed to determine the effect of acupuncture on these males. Semen samples of 20 patients with a history of azoospermia were examined by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), with which a microsearch for spermatozoa was carried out. These examinations were performed before and 1 month after acupuncture treatment. The control group was comprised of 20 untreated males who underwent two semen examinations within a period of 2–4 months. A definite increase in sperm count was detected in the ejaculates of 10 (67%) of the 15 azoospermic patients. Seven of these males exhibited post-treatment spermatozoa that were detected even by LM. The sperm production of these seven males increased significantly, from 0 to an average of 1.5±2.4×106 spermatozoa per ejaculate (Z=−2.8, P≤0.01). Males with genital tract inflammation exhibited the most remarkable improvement in sperm density (on average from 0.3±0.6×106 spermatozoa per ejaculate to 3.3±3.2×106 spermatozoa per ejaculate; Z=−2.4, P≤0.02). Two pregnancies were achieved by the IVF-ICSI procedure. It is concluded that acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of genital tract inflammation.²⁹

• The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical effects of the combined therapy of acupuncture with herbal drugs on male immune infertility and on antisperm antibody (AsAb). 100 male cases of infertility with positive AsAb were divided randomly into two groups, each consisting of 50 cases. The results showed that the total effective rate in the acupuncture-drug group was 90%; while that of the control group was 64%, the comparison showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The positive rate of blood serum and/or AsAb in both the two groups decreased in varying degrees, but the negative-turning rate of AsAb in the acupuncture-drug group was more obvious, the comparison showing also a significant difference (P<0.05). The combined therapy of acupuncture with herbal drugs has definite therapeutic effects on male immune infertility, which can regulate AsAb and raise the immunity of the patients.³⁰

Further studies are available relating to a host of medical ailments. Please contact us for details.

References

Most of these studies may be found on MedLine (Pubmed), a free database of medical journals. This list is not exhaustive as studies are ongoing and are published frequently. For a list of present and planned studies, a good place to review is the Cochrane Library online.

Germaine M. Buck Louis, Ph.D.a, Kirsten J. Lum, M.S.a, Rajeshwari Sundaram, Ph.D.a, Zhen Chen, Ph.D.a, Sungduk Kim, Ph.D.a, Courtney D. Lynch, Ph.D.b, Enrique F. Schisterman, Ph.D.a, Cecilia Pyper, B.S., M.B.c, Stress reduces conception probabilities across the fertile window: evidence in support of relaxation. 05 August 2010 (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.06.078).
Jedel E, Labrie F, Odén A, Holm G, Nilsson L, Janson PO, Lind AK, Ohlsson C, Stener-Victorin E., Impact of electro-acupuncture and p
hysical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;300(1):E37-45. Epub 2010 Oct 13.
Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, Haramati A, Langenberg P, Berman BM, Bouter LM., Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis., BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):545-9. Epub 2008 Feb 7.
Stener-Victorin, E., Waldenstrom, U., Andersson, S. and Wikland, M. (1996) Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Hum Reprod Biol., 11:1314-7
Paulus, WE., Zhang, M., Strehler, E., El-Danasouri, I and Sterzik, K. (2002) Influence of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fert Steril., 77:721-4
Anderson BJ, Haimovici F, Ginsburg ES, Schust DJ, Wayne PM, In vitro fertilization and acupuncture: clinical efficacy and mechanistic basis. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 May-Jun;13(3):38-48
DePow, J. (2004) "East meets West: Acupuncture and Reproductive Medicine." New Mexico Woman
Fertility and Sterility. 2006 May;85(5):1341-6. Epub 2006 Apr 5.
Fertility and Sterility, Volume 81, Issue (Supplement #), Page 20, (April 2004)
Hum Reprod 2003; 18: 1454-60
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao, Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine should make new contribution to the reproductive health of women, 2004 Mar;2(2):83-5.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand., Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, 2000 Mar;79(3):180-8
Dieterle S, Ying G, Hatzmann W, Neuer A, Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1347-51. Epub 2006 Apr 17
Johnson D., Acupuncture prior to and at embryo transfer in an assisted conception unit--a case series, Acupunct Med. 2006 Mar;24(1):23-8
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. Controlled study on acupuncture for treatment of endocrine dysfunctional infertility, 2005 May;25(5):299-300.
Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Elizabeth Jedel, Per Olof Janson, and Yrsa Bergmann Sverrisdottir1, Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 297: R387-R395, 2009.
Kang HS, Jeong D, Kim DI, Lee MS., The use of acupuncture for managing gynaecologic conditions: An overview of systematic reviews., Maturitas. 2011 Mar 2. [Epub ahead of print], PMID: 21376483.
Franconi G, Manni L, Aloe L, Mazzilli F, Giambalvo Dal Ben G, Lenzi A, Fabbri A Acupuncture in clinical and experimental reproductive medicine: a review., J Endocrinol Invest. 2011 Feb 4. [Epub ahead of print], PMID: 21297382.
Kovárová P, Smith CA, Turnbull DA., An exploratory study of the effect of acupuncture on self-efficacy for women seeking fertility support, Explore (NY). 2010 Sep-Oct;6(5):330-4.PMID: 20832766.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2004; 83(3): 246-50.
JAMA. 1998;280:1580-1584.
The Journal of Maternal–Fetal and Neonatal Medicine 2004;15:247–252
Ee CC, Manheimer E, Pirotta MV, White AR., Acupuncture for pelvic and back pain in pregnancy: a systematic review., Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Mar;198(3):254-9.
J. Boivin; L. Schmidt, Human Reproduction. 2009;24(7):1626-1631.
Manber R, Schnyer RN, Lyell D, Chambers AS, Caughey AB, Druzin M, Carlyle E, Celio C, Gress JL, Huang MI, Kalista T, Martin-Okada R, Allen JJ., Acupuncture for depression during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial, Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Mar;115(3):511-20.
Sherman; F. Eltes; V. Wolfson; N. Zabludovsky; B. Bartoov, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Tel Aviv, IsraeMale Fertility Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Isreal, Effect of Acupuncture on Sperm Parameters of Males Suffering from Subfertility Related to Low Sperm Quality Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, Volume 39, Issue 2 September 1997 , pages 155 - 16S.
J. Pei, E. Strehler, U. Noss, M. Abt, P. Piomboni, B. Baccetti, K. Sterzik, Fertility and Sterility, Volume 84, Issue 1, Pages 141-147
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2006 Jun;26(6):389-91.
S Siterman, F Eltes, V Wolfson, H Lederman, B Bartoov (2000), Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count? A pilot study, Volume 32 Issue 1 Page 31-39, January 2000
Fu B, Lun X, Gong Y., Effects of the combined therapy of acupuncture with herbal drugs on male immune infertility--a clinical report of 50 cases., J Tradit Chin Med. 2005 Sep;25(3):186-9.
Zhu X, Hamilton KD, McNicol ED., Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis., Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Sep 7;9:CD007864.
Rubi-Klein K, Kucera-Sliutz E, Nissel H, Bijak M, Stockenhuber D, Fink M, Wolkenstein E., Is acupuncture in addition to conventional medicine effective as pain treatment for endometriosis? A randomised controlled cross-over trial., Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2010 Nov;153(1):90-3. Epub 2010 Aug 21.
Huang, M. Fertility and Sterility, September 2006; Vol. 86: pp. 700-710. News release, American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(2):299-306. Xu H, Lawson D, Kras A, Ryan D. School of Health Sciences, Victoria University Melbourne City, Vic 8001, Australia.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2006 Feb;26(2):87-90. Xu YLJin JJ, Xu DY, Zheng Y."Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion." Effects of acupuncture plus acupoint sticking on bone mass density and pain in the patient of primary osteoporosis.
Ried K, Stuart K. 2011 Dec;19(6):319-31. Epub 2011 Oct 5, Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: A systematic review.
Ozkan S, Jindal S, Greenseid K, Shu J, Zeitlian G, Hickmon C, Pal L., Fertil Steril. 2010 Sep;94(4):1314-9. Epub 2009 Jul 8., Replete vitamin D stores predict reproductive success following in vitro fertilization.

Further studies are available relating to a host of medical ailments. Please contact us for details.

<<Back to main Infertility Page

Tel: 416-532-9094
info@totalwellnesscentre.ca
Find a Location Near You