Key message:
A 2024 meta-analysis found that:
- Acupuncture in fresh IVF cycles: Acupuncture during ovarian stimulation increased the clinical pregnancy rate by 33%.
- Acupuncture during frozen (FET) cycles: Acupuncture before FET increased the clinical pregnancy rate by 71% and the live birth rate by 140%.
- IVF acupuncture dosage and timing: Higher acupuncture dosages (treatment lasting longer than one menstrual cycle) were associated with increased clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates by 71% and 75%, respectively, compared to lower dosages.
Introduction
A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine analysed 38 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with 5,991 participants. The study assessed the effectiveness of acupuncture for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) patients and evaluated whether the timing and dosage of acupuncture influenced the results.
Key Findings:
- Fresh IVF cycles: Acupuncture performed during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) increased the clinical pregnancy rate by 33%, compared to no acupuncture.
- Frozen cycles: Acupuncture before freeze-thaw embryo transfer significantly enhanced both the clinical pregnancy rate (by 71%) and the live birth rate (by 140%).
- Acupuncture dosage: Higher dosages (treatment lasting longer than one menstrual cycle) were associated with a 71% increase in clinical pregnancy rates and a 75% increase in live birth rates compared to lower dosages (treatment lasting less than one cycle).
Expert commentary
As a fertility acupuncturist with a special interest in IVF support, I have long been a vocal critic of acupuncture protocols that limit treatment to the time of embryo transfer. I have presented on this topic at several conferences, including:
- The 17th International Acupuncture Research Symposium at King’s College London in 2015
- The British Medical Acupuncture Society’s Spring Meeting in 2015
- The 6th National Congress of the Associazione Medici Agopuntori Bolognesi in 2017
My own clinical experience, now further supported by this new research, suggests that focusing acupuncture treatment during the preparation and ovarian stimulation phases of IVF yields the most significant benefits.
In my view, if these phases are correctly managed with acupuncture, there is no added benefit to doing acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer except in few specific cases where clinically indicated.
Why the timing of IVF acupuncture is so important
Most IVF cycles fail due to poor embryo quality, and embryo quality is primarily affected by egg quality. Egg quality can be influenced in the 4-5 months before IVF and during the ovarian stimulation phase, particularly during the final egg maturation phase (between the trigger and the egg retrieval), as that’s when most of the genetic errors in the egg happen. So treating patients exclusively during the embryo transfer time fails to address the most significant cause of IVF failure.
This is why I believe our success rates with IVF patients are so high. By focusing acupuncture on the early stages of the IVF process, we can optimise the main factors that determine IVF outcomes, such as egg and embryo quality and endometrial receptivity.
Key Takeaway Points
This research provides compelling evidence that acupuncture can significantly enhance IVF success rates when administered at the correct time and dosage. The results of this meta-analysis strongly suggest that incorporating acupuncture into the early stages of IVF, particularly during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and before frozen embryo transfer, can significantly improve clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.
While further research is needed to determine the most effective acupuncture for IVF treatment protocols, this study adds to the growing body of evidence that acupuncture is a valuable adjunct therapy for those undergoing IVF.
If you are considering acupuncture as part of your IVF journey, I encourage you to consult with a qualified fertility acupuncturist who can develop a personalised treatment plan that will identify and treat specific factors that are likely to increase your chances of success.
If you are looking for fertility acupuncture in London, schedule an initial consultation at our clinic to discuss how we can help you.
References
(1) Wang, X.; Xu, H.; Wang, Q.; Zhu, X.; Zeng, Y.; Huang, L.; Feng, X.; Chen, S. The Timing and Dose Effect of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes for Infertile Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2024. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2023.0478