Article by Gale Benz

Acupuncture for infertility is likely the most commonly recognized alternative therapy for those trying to become pregnant. The media appears to report on research related to acupuncture and fertility every few months, and increasing number of fertility clinics offer or advised acupuncture therapy together with conventional infertility therapies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). While IVF stands for in vitro fertilization, which literally means “in lab conception”, IUI means artificial insemination for women who are infertile.

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine, often abbreviated as TCM. Acupuncture works by placing very thin needles into particular acu-points on the body. These points, according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine, operate along the lines of energy, or meridians. From the TCM perspective, an imbalance or blockage of these meridians in the body can lead to illness, such as infertility. Correcting the imbalance by stimulating specific points along the energy channels is believed to improve health. The US National Institutes of Health  has issued a consensus statement indicating that “There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine”

Given all the excitement over acupuncture and infertility, one might think that the gains from acupuncture therapy have been well documented. However, that’s not exactly the case. Some scientific studies have shown improved pregnancy rates for those trying acupuncture, while other research have shown no or non-statistically significant results. Investigators on either side of the issue agree that acupuncture therapy is generally risk-free, and almost everyone agrees it improves relaxation, reduces stress levels, and increases beta-endorphins – the feel good, pain-busting hormones.

If acupuncture does not do any harm, why investing so much time and money into the studies related to the issue? Why not send everyone wanting to be pregnant for acupuncture therapy? Well, if acupuncture actually can improve pregnancy rates, then acupuncture therapy should be included as a matter of protocol when managing infertility. Doctors should encourage patients to see an acupuncturist for treatments, and insurance companies should also be willing to foot some of the cost.

Although not inexpensive, acupuncture is definitely much less expensive than many fertility treatments. If acupuncture can help couples become pregnant, at the same time spending much less money, less time, and risking fewer side effects, then of course acupuncture should be moved out from the “alternative” realm and into the mainstream. On the other hand, if acupuncture cannot be shown to change fertility rates, then the treatment shouldn’t be automatically incorporated into Western medicine’s approach to infertility.

Acupuncture is not the only approach of achieving relaxation. While doctors should assist their patients to reduce their stress level, pushing acupuncture over other approaches would be uncalled for. Meditation, Yoga, and other basic relaxation training technique can also help those with infertility cope with stress, and for much less cost than acupuncture therapies. When a fertility doctor, or any physician for that matter, recommends a procedure, the patient assumes the recommendation is backed up by evidence-based research. Before advocating acupuncture to patients, doctors want to be sure that they are recommending a treatment that can really help, but not just provide a false sense of hope.

About the Author

Gale Benz is an alternative health commentator and blogger. She has interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.

For more information on this topic, please visit Britannia Acupuncture Clinic.

Tagged with: Acupuncture • Infertility • Positions • Treatment

Filed under: Acupuncture Fertility Research

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