IVF SUPPORT with Acupuncture.

IVF SUPPORT with Acupuncture.for couples going through IVF, I provide preparatory treatments to help address any
imbalances and strengthen your bodies to get the best possible outcomes.The success of
acupuncture combined with Western treatment in IVF has been demonstrated in the recent research
clinical trial. It showed that acupuncture has significantly increased the effectiveness of IVF, with pregnancies of 34 out of 80 patients (42.5%) were in the acupuncture group (manual and electrical acupuncture) as compared to 21 out of 80 patients (26.3%) in the control group (with only Western

Orthodox treatment).Acupuncture helps:

• Enhance the healthy growth of the womb´s lining and thickens the endometrium
• Lower the elevated FSH (Follicular Stimulating Hormone) levels.
• Increases and regulates the female hormones.
• Increases blood flow circulation to the reproductive organs.
• Reduces most of stresses, particularly the stress associated with fertility problems.

Coming to Barcelona for IVF treatment?

If you are coming to Barcelona for IVF treatment I use the German protocol for IVF enhancement which consists of treating the woman with acupuncture right before and shortly after transfer of the embryo.
This is extremely helpful and has been shown to be successful even if you have never received an acupuncture treatment previously.  My clinic is at 20 minutes taxi ride from all the mayor IVF clinics in Barcelona.

Acupuncture before and during the medication phase of IVF

This treatment schedule is based on protocols used in clinical trials which demonstrate increased
blood supply to uterus and ovaries and a beneficial regulation of hormones which may be important
to follicle development and implantation. A significant increase in pregnancy rates was reported in
these trials also.

Schedule:
2 treatments per week for 4 weeks (optimal) plus treatment at time of embryo transfer.

Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer (including frozen embryo transfer)
These treatments are based on protocols used in clinical trials which showed that an increase in
pregnancy rates in some groups of women (those for whom the expected pregnancy rate is 30% or less).
(You can find the references for these trials here)

Schedule:
a – before or after transfer …… one treatmen
b – before and after transfer …… two treatments

Acupuncture at any phase of the IVF cycle

Acupuncture can be used to manage any side effects you might experience and reduce anxiety.
These treatment protocols are based on the clinical experience of many acupuncturists and their
patients. Reduced fatigue, moodiness, abdomen swelling and discomfort and other side effects
are reported by many women using acupuncture during their IVF cycle. In addition women report
greater relaxation and control of anxiety (reference). The acupuncture treatment will be different
for each patient and depends on your symptoms. These treatments can be combined with

Schedule 2
1-2 treatments per week as needed.

Acupuncture after egg collection

IVF patients are recommended to have an acupuncture treatment in the days after egg collection,
to reduce any local tissue trauma or bleeding, and help prepare a calm environment for the arrival
of an embryo. This treatment can be combined with Schedule 2 or 3 above.

Schedule:
1 treatment within the 2-3 days following egg collection.

Acupuncture before the pregnancy test

Many IVF patients find the “two week wait” the hardest part (even when its only 10 days!).
Acupuncture is used during this time to keep the mind calm and the stress hormones low.

Schedule:
1 or 2 treatments between the time of embryo transfer and the pregnancy test.

Acupuncture to prepare for frozen embryo transfer

Many IVF clinics like to transfer embryos into a natural environment. Embryos that have been
frozen and successfully thawed are transferred back into a uterus in its natural state at exactly the
right time for implantation. Using electro-stimulation on acupuncture points on the abdomen in the
2 or 3 menstrual cycles before the transfer, has been shown to improve the structure of the uterine
lining, the implantation rate and the pregnancy rate.

Schedule:
1-2 treatments per week in the 2-3 cycles before frozen embryo transfer