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Acupuncture may improve IVF success

Categories: Pregnancy & birth, Places to go, Medical conditions, In the news

While I was lucky to be able to achieve both of my pregnancies without medical intervention, I've had a number of friends who faced infertility. Hormone shots, artificial inseminations, in vitro fertilization -- many experienced the whole range of interventions in hopes of conceiving a pregnancy. With each try, they had to face the fact that it was very much a game of chance. Often, there isn't a lot that can improve the odds aside from following protocol and staying healthy.

One friend turned to alternative medicine and began seeing an acupuncturist in addition to her infertility doctor. Acupuncture has been used in China for hundreds of years to regulate the female reproductive system. A few pokes later (pun intended), and now she's chasing a toddler around the house.

Turns out, her good results may not have been just luck. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative Medicine have reviewed studies of the use of acupuncture in women undergoing IVF. The results of their analysis suggest that acupuncture used during IVF treatment can increase the odds of a pregnancy. Researchers say that an average of ten women would need to use acupuncture to gain one pregnancy.
Results are preliminary, but I think many women undergoing IVF would consider adding acupuncture to their infertility endeavors if they thought it could help.

Have you faced infertility? Did you ever consider or use complementary or alternative approaches during treatment?

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