The Complete ART Support Program

Approximately 3 months prior to the ART procedure, it is recommended that the patient receive acupuncture & herbal treatment to improve the woman’s health, regulate the menstrual cycle, and to reduce stress. Since sperm maturation takes approximately 70 to 90 days this time is also used to work with the male in improving sperm count and quality.

Two or three days after the menstrual cycle begins the ovaries are stimulated using either Clomid or various FSH preparations such as Gonal-F, Follistim, and Repronex. At this time Chinese herbal formulas are stopped. Acupuncture is performed at this time to help produce more follicles and thicken the uterine lining. Acupuncture also used at this time to reduce the fertility drug related side effects such as flushing, night sweats, lack of or dryness of fertility mucus, headaches, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, and emotional volatility.

Chinese medicine can be especially helpful before the transfer of embryos for IVF. It can calm the patient and relax the uterus, and minimize uterine contractions and cramping, thus helping the embryo implantation. As seen in the study mentioned below, it is suggested that acupuncture be performed before and after the embryo transfer.

After embryo transfer Chinese medicine is employed to assist blood circulation in the uterus, maintain implantation of the embryo, and nourish embryo growth. Acupuncture is used to relax the uterus to prevent uterine contractions.

IVF & IUI patients experience a relatively high rate of miscarriage and Western medicine has little to offer at this stage. However, there are well established Chinese herbal formulas that have been used over the ages to help prevent miscarriage of a viable fetus. These formulas would be individually tailored to each woman.

A recent study published in Fertility and Sterility found that 26% of women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) became pregnant following the procedure compared to 43% who received acupuncture before and after IVF.

It reported the acupuncture treatment has the following potential fertility boosting benefits:

1) Increased blood flow to the uterus & thickening of the uterine wall. 2) Increased endorphin production which in turn, effects the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone. 3) Lower stress hormones responsible for infertility. 4) Impact on plasma levels of the fertility hormones. 5) Normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.