Acupuncture question - how does it work?

[Dot457]

Hello. Hoping to get some information on Acupuncture if possible? I'm about to go into my third round of IVF, cannot have children naturally.

One of my friends has recently had it done due to having reoccurring miscarriages. Now she's not actually tried for a baby since then, but she said it helped her feel so much more calm and relaxed. Where as before she was really anxious and constantly thinking about her miscarriages.

I just explained to my partner that I think I'm going to look into getting it done, and he's struggling to understand how this can help with fertility. I just said it's a mind thing and that it obviously just releases stress etc.

He plays (or played) rugby and has had acupuncture in the past on muscles, and doesn't understand how this can help your mindset and help have a successful implantation.

So my question is, how does it actually work with us women and fertility? Does anyone have any success stories on how acupuncture has helped them with successful IVF?

Thanks in advance! x

Hi @Dot457, I'll start by saying I'm definitely no expert - I'm on my first round of IVF now, and have only done acupuncture since November. My understanding is that acupuncture helps blood flow to the reproductive organs. In my case, after starting acupuncture, I saw an increase in the number of follicles (before starting IVF) - I always had a total of 9 in 3 scans June, August, Sept 2020, and after a month of acupuncture it was 12 in Dec. Of course, I cannot tie this to acupuncture specifically, and it could be any number of reasons, but I believe it helped.

I cannot recommend it enough however you need to find a good one. One that is an expert in fertility. I started with a lady who was so unbelievably knowledgeable, there was never any doubt that it would work for me in her opinion. We started months before my IVF and then during IVF she did more intense procedures once a week, she saw me on specific days during my treatment, when I was injecting, before egg retrieval, before and after my embryo transfer. I felt so looked after and supported.
Before acupuncture I had 4 follicles in total, and then at egg retrieval we retrieved 8 eggs from only one ovary. The other ovary couldn’t be accessed as it got stuck behind another organ during injecting- so i doubled my numbers on only one ovary which I thought was amazing. Possibly I would have got 16 if both could be accessed. I had 2 top grade blastocysts in the end - one is in me now and I am 39 weeks pregnant, the other in the freezer!
She also gave me loads of lifestyle change suggestions which I think also helped. But there are some acupuncturist ms that are not fertility specialists.

This thread is interesting to me too - I would be interested in any recommendations for any in the London area (ideally central London)?

Hi @Dot457 I think acupuncture helps as it relaxes people. For me I did acupuncture for 3 months before my 1st round of IVF, during my 1st round of IVF and for 6 months trying naturally afterwards. It did not work for me. I had better results from subsequent IVFs after stopping acupuncture. I also went to a top recommended fertility acupuncturist. My friend went to the same acupuncturist through TTC/IVF/IUI and eventually stopped going and started reflexology instead and then had a surprise natural pregnancy.

So for us we could actually assume that acupuncture made our outcomes worse in the same way others in this thread assume their successful outcomes or changes were due to the acupuncture so I would just bare that in mind.

I would say definitely try it, if you find it relaxing great but if not don’t or if you feel the expense I’d too much don’t feel that you have to persevere to have a successful fertility outcome.

Hiya, just wanted to jump on and say my husband and I tried for 18months and I went to acupuncture but not regularly. Then in December/November I really stuck to it and went every week to a fertility specialist in acupuncture. I feel pregnant that month. Lots of people I know also used her and had success. It’s worth a go, if not just to relax you once a week. Find a really good one 😀

My outlook on these things is that if it makes you feel good you should do it and if it doesn't you shouldn't. I never had any interest in it so I can't see how it would help me personally (and my ivf was successful without it). I did enjoy meditating though and so would say that helped me. Whatever makes the process better for you can only help, whether it's acupuncture, meditation or a dance for the fertility gods. Don't do anything you don't believe in.

Hi im starting acupuncture tomorrow and planning to do my cycle in 3 months. I'll keep you updated on how it goes