Electroacupuncture May Increase Fertility Treatment Success

Electroacupuncture treatments may increase the success rate of embryo transfer fertility treatments, according to a new study.

Electroacupuncture utilizes an electrical stimulator attached to acupuncture needles. This form of acupuncture focuses on 80 specific acupoints where nerves enter muscles. The electrical current may be adjusted to reach the optimum level, at which stage a slight twitching of the skin may be visible around the needle.

In a recent study, 309 women who were undergoing embryo transplant treatments or a new cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group received mock electroacupuncture 30 minutes after the fertility treatment, the second group received one session of electroacupunture 30 minutes after the fertility treatment, and the third group received electroacupuncture 24 hours before the fertility treatment and then again 30 minutes after the fertility treatment. The main outcome measures included pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate and live birth rate.

The researchers found that women who received two electroacupuncture sessions had significantly higher pregnancy, embryo implantation and live birth rates, at 50 percent, 25.9 percent and 42 percent, respectively, when compared to those in the control group. Women who received one session of electroacupuncture also saw significantly greater success rates, with pregnancy, embryo implantation and live birth rates at 42.7 percent, 25.7 percent and 37.3 percent, respectively. Results for the mock treatment group included a 29.3 percent pregnancy rate, 15 percent embryo implantation rate and 21.2 live birth rate.

The authors concluded that electroacupuncture may significantly improve the clinical outcomes of embryo transfer fertility treatments. However, further research is necessary before conclusions can be made.

For more information on other integrative therapies that have been studied for infertility, including arginine and black cohosh, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness Database.

For more information about electroacupuncture, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness Database.

Comments

[M Allen]

Alternative therapies as a whole are relatively new to me, and the idea of electroacupuncture is even newer. I wasn't aware of this type of acupuncture before coming across this article. Looking at what the proposed treatments are for this type of acupuncture I was amazed. I am sure that there will be additional studies on this specific topic to help draw better conclusions.

[Ashley Tewksbury]

Electroacupuncture has also been utilized for osteoarthritis and chronic pain, both receiving a Grade A per Natural Standard. Interestingly, the monograph cites that many acupuncturists think that electroacupuncture is superior to traditional acupuncture in triggering the release of pain-relieving chemicals in the brain. They have actually titrated the current frequency to establish a range that releases the most dynorphin and enkephalin (both endogenous opioids).

[Shannon]

This is great news for couples who are struggling to have a child. After reading this I became curious about why its believed that acupuncture may work and why the certain times in this trial where chosen about when to give acupuncture. It’s interesting that it says there is increased blood flow to the ovaries and uterus which helps with healthier eggs and a stronger lining of the uterus for implantation. I wonder if acupuncture should even be given more times and longer in advance to help promote even healthier eggs?

[CK12]

I think it is very neat that they are finding other ways to use acupuncture! The results of the study were very profound compared to the mock group. I am excited to see what other new diseases they can use electroacupunture for!

[Ashley Tewksbury]

Another thing to be cautious about, which seems rather intuitive but did not initially cross my mind, is the potential for adverse effects due to improper needle sterilization. This can lead to transmission of various infectious diseases. In a literature review of 715 total adverse effects, there were approximately 200 reports of infection, with over 60% being hepatitis B. Hopefully as this therapeutic approach gains even more popularity and recognition among practitioners of both conventional and alternative medicine alike, there will be more stringent efforts implemented to attenuate these risks.

[NK]

Looking into other uses of acupuncture, I came across an interesting use. Acupuncture has been used for inducing labor and shortening labor time in pregnant women. This could be another option for mothers who prefer natural birth. Of course, the timing of the acupuncture is a critical issue in that it has the potential to induce labor prematurely and may lead to a miscarriage. For this reason, pregnant women should avoid acupuncture during pregnancy.

[JW]

Patients who are trying to become pregnant by fertility measures may have many failures before an actual success. Electroaccupuncture shows great promise in a better chance of pregnancy. After further research of electroaccupuncture, slight adverse effects include minor bruising and bleeding. Patients with a history of seizures, heart disease, stroke, or has a pacemaker should not use this therapy. Since more studies should be done before definite positive benefit may be proven, patients who are trying to become pregnant should discuss this with their health care provider first.

[Anonymous]

Infertility is a growing problem nationwide. It could be a devastating time for both the male and female. It is great that they found a drug-free way to help increase the success rate of embryo transfer fertility treatments. I am looking forward to the further research and the possibility of touching so many lives in a new way.

[MK]

Joo, I had never heard of electroacupuncture being used as a way to lose fat. It would be great if it were to be introduced as a weight loss option in the US, as our obesity rate continues to climb. It would be a safer alternative to the diet pills, fad diets, and gastric bypass surgeries. There are so many great CAM therapies, including electroacupuncture out there that just need more recognition.

[MK]

This is great news for many women experiencing trouble becoming pregnant. I know that the fertility treatments themselves can get pretty expensive. I wonder if insurances would cover electroacupuncture for this use or any use for that matter. NK brings up a good point. Perhaps electroacupuncture therapy in both partners would increase the couple's fertility.

[Joo]

It is very interesting to see how electroacupuncture is used for various conditions. I've actually heard of this when I went back home to Korea over the summer vacation last year. I'm not sure how popular it is but people in Korea are using electroacupuncture cosmetically as a way to lose fat. When I heard it about a year ago, I didn't believe in its efficacy. However, I actually found few studies that showed to help obesity with electroacupuncture.

[NK]

Acupuncture, as a general therapy, has been used for years as an alternative treatment for various conditions, from hypertension to bladder disorders. Something interesting I read about electroacupuncture was that it is used for hormone imbalances, estrogen and testosterone. For men that have low testosterone, which can contribute to infertility, I wonder if this therapy could benefit them. It would be cool to see a comparative study done in men.