November 9
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) refers to all technologies that directly obtain oocytes from the ovaries. The most commonly used technique for fertilization is in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET). This process involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries, culturing them in a nutrient-rich medium, and adding a carefully processed sperm sample to achieve fertilization (the IVF phase).
After fertilization, the culture continues until the early embryo or blastocyst forms, which is then transferred into the uterus for implantation (the ET phase) to develop into a fetus until delivery. ART also includes second-generation IVF, known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and third-generation IVF, which involves preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) or preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
You may wonder how acupuncture is connected to IVF and reproductive medicine. The live birth rate of ART is only about 30–50%, so acupuncture, an ancient therapy, has received attention as a potential way to improve IVF success rates.
The world’s first “test-tube baby” was born in the UK in 1978, but the clinical pregnancy rate remained low. Doctors began exploring complementary approaches, including non-mainstream medicine, meditation, and psychological interventions. This led to growing interest in the use of acupuncture in assisted reproduction.
In 1996, Stener-Victorin et al. published the first research on acupuncture in IVF and embryo transfer in the Journal of Human Reproduction, sparking interest in acupuncture points for ART.
In 2002, Wolfgang E. Paulus applied evidence-based medicine using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test body and ear acupuncture 25 minutes before and after the IVF embryo transfer process. The results showed a significant increase in clinical pregnancy rates, attracting the attention of reproductive endocrinologists worldwide.
A live birth determines a successful IVF cycle. The following conditions must be met:
1. Quality eggs and sperm;
2. Quality diploid embryos;
3. Uterine body and endometrial receptivity;
4. Embryo development to full term.
So what is the role of acupuncture in reproductive medicine? I conducted a retrospective analysis of some patients who were successfully treated with acupuncture.
1. Anti-anxiety
There are several situations in which patients have high-quality embryos but still experience failed transfers.
Anxiety is one of the most common causes of such failures. IVF is costly, and the live birth rate is only 30–50%, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. For some families, children are a crucial bond that maintains the integrity of the family. IVF can become a last hope for preserving a marriage or partnership. When IVF is perceived as the final chance, the resulting tension and anxiety are understandable.
Anxiety often leads to abnormal hormone secretion, including adrenaline, which can trigger uterine contractions. I have seen a patient who had to cancel an IVF transfer just three days before the procedure due to these contractions.
However, in the subsequent IVF cycle, after receiving acupuncture treatments, uterine contractions did not occur, and the pregnancy proceeded smoothly. Patients like this are excellent candidates for IVF acupuncture.
2. Reduce uterine artery impedance
If the blood flow resistance of the uterine artery increases, the endometrium may receive insufficient blood supply, which can negatively affect embryo implantation and development.
In evidence-based research, some reproductive endocrinologists have observed patients’ uterine blood flow before and after acupuncture, using uterine artery impedance as an indicator. I also participated in this observation, and the results showed that uterine artery impedance decreased following acupuncture treatment.
3. Improving the inflammatory body
Patients with underlying inflammatory conditions—such as immune-endocrine imbalances, unusually high estrogen levels, gut microbiome imbalances, and high blood viscosity—not only experience reduced egg quality but also face an intrauterine environment that resists implantation.
For mild inflammatory conditions, acupuncture, cupping, and dietary modifications can improve the body’s overall state, making clinical pregnancy possible. Some young patients may even conceive naturally.
For example, I treated a 37-year-old white woman with PCOS who had experienced two failed egg retrievals. After acupuncture and cupping treatments, her eggs were successfully retrieved, and two normal blastocysts were obtained.
In another case, a 32-year-old patient with severe arthritis, who had been taking nearly ten medications long-term to control joint pain, had failed IUI six times. After six months of acupuncture and dietary modifications, she discontinued all medications except 5 mg of dexamethasone and became pregnant naturally. Two years later, she returned for fertility acupuncture and successfully conceived a second child.
4. Adjust the function of the reproductive axis
Long-term overwork or mental stress may cause adrenal hormones to be at high levels.
Negative feedback inhibits the secretion of adrenal hormone-releasing hormones, promotes GnRH release, and damages the reproductive axis. Acupuncture and herbal medicine may help adjust the neuroendocrine system and restore ovulation to achieve the purpose of natural pregnancies. There are many successful POI and POF case reports.
5. Prevent miscarriage or premature delivery
Contractions caused by various reasons cause many miscarriages or preterm births.
A patient had contractions at the 36th week of pregnancy, and the cervix became shorter in length. The doctor told her that she could give birth prematurely at any time.
However, after acupuncture treatment, the contractions stopped, and the cervix became stable, and induced labor at 40 weeks.
