Acupuncture as a Complementary Treatment during IVF

Acupuncture has been shown to promote the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and to specifically increase blood flow to the ovaries.  Stener-Victorin E, Kobayashi R, Kurosava M

Research has shown that eggs that come from follicles with optimal blood supply and oxygen content have higher fertilization rates and developmental potential leading to improved IVF outcomes.   Bhal PS, Pugh ND, Gregory L

Oocytes that consume more oxygen before fertilization are the ones that form better quality embryos.  Tejera A, Herrero J. de los Santos MJ .  

Women who do not feel depressed before starting IVF treatment conceive twice as often as women who are depressed before treatment so ensuring healthy and unobstructed Liver Qi can have significant implications for the future of IVF.   Demyttenaere K, Bonte L, Gheldof M

Acupuncture reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and also reduces the vascularity of the endometrium.    Kim, J Shin KH