Acupuncture has built up a reputation for being a suitable adjunct treatment to IVF therapy. The reason for this is two fold. Firstly, acupuncture is an effective treatment for infertility. Secondly, acupuncture by nature is non-pharmacological. This removes the chance of any possible negative co-interaction with the medications used during IVF therapy.
Despite that acupuncture is more synonymous with IVF, best practice in Chinese Medicine treatment would include both acupuncture and herbal medicine. The choice of treatment combination is dependant on the various stages involved in an IVF attempt.
In preparation for an IVF cycle, best practice would be to receive both acupuncture and herbal medicine. The most common reason why couples would undergo IVF is due to poor egg quality. The combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine best assist this problem. When acupuncture is combined with herbal medicine, treatment is required weekly. It can commence anytime before the start of the IVF cycle. Though the longer the preparation, the better the chance of a positive outcome.
During the IVF cycle, herbal medicine can no longer be prescribed. Treatment therefore only consists of acupuncture. This is best received twice weekly up until the time of transfer. On the day of transfer, acupuncture is administered immediately before and after the transfer. One single post-transfer treatment is recommended one week after transfer.
At the end of the “two week wait” either a blood test or the start of a new menstrual cycle will indicate if the cycle was a success. Those who receive a negative outcome are best to return to the IVF preparation phase. Those who have been fortunate to enough to have a positive outcome, they are recommended to receive both acupuncture and herbal medicine for the duration of the first trimester.
If you have any questions or you would like to receive fertility treatment, please phone Dr Kirk Wilson (PhD) from the Fertility & IVF Acupuncture Clinic on 9231 3377.
