INFERTILITY

Acupuncture originated in China over 3000 years ago, and has since been utilized in many countries for multiple physical and mental health related conditions.  These conditions include, but are certainly not limited to, depression and anxiety, addictions, migraine headaches, menstrual cramps, nausea and vomiting, arthritis, and more recently, infertility.

No one is sure how acupuncture works.  The Chinese texts state that acupuncture works by balancing the vital energy, or chi (also spelled qi).    An imbalance in this delicate system leads to a blockage in the flow of chi along pathways known as meridians.  These meridians act like circuits in an electrical grid and connect different parts of the body.  There are 12 major and 8 secondary meridians and more than 2000 acupuncture points (both traditional and non-traditional) on our bodies connect with these meridians

One of the most recent interests in acupuncture in the United States has been in the area of infertility.  Infertility clinics employ incredibly high-tech procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and yet many couples trying to get pregnant look for assistance from the ancient art of Chinese medicine.  The complimentary use of these two vastly different techniques has caught the attention of practitioners and patients alike.  In fact, randomized controlled studies are looking at the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of infertility.

Three separate studies performed in the last seven years have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving success rates of IVF.  The first sturdy showed an improvement from 23% to 31%, a second showed improvement from 28% to 42%, and a third demonstrated a similar improvement from 26% to 42.5%.   When looking at the results of these 3 studies, it is important to note that while not a guarantee, acupuncture certainly has a significant positive effect on fertility and IVF (a 30-45% improvement). 

At Bio Energy Medical Center, we offer this adjunct to traditional therapy.  We happily report that several of our patients have received acupuncture in conjunction with their IVF, have become pregnant, and have had beautiful babies.  We recognize the huge emotional and financial investment for couples seeking to become pregnant and desire only to improve their chances of success.  In no way do we detract from the traditional therapy.   The additional cost and time required to receive the acupuncture treatments are minimal given the increased chance of a successful outcome.

Our staff would be delighted to share details of the three studies sited with anyone who wishes to review them, and we look forward to hearing and working with you. See study information at the bottom of the page.

MALE INFERTILITY

Several factors may be responsible for male infertility, including low sperm count, abnormal sperm shape and size, and reduced motility. Lifestyle, genetics, and physiological changes can also raise or lower male fertility levels, and can significantly affect a man's ability to produce offspring.

Previous research has shown that acupuncture can improve fertility levels in women. Fewer studies on male infertility have been conducted, although evidence suggests that acupuncture can have an effect on sperm production and quality, without causing any changes in behavior or sexual desire. A recent trial published in Fertility and Sterility has shown just how effective acupuncture can be in the treatment of this condition, leading to significant increases in the number of normal sperm and equally significant reductions in structural defects.

In the study, 28 men who were diagnosed with idiopathic infertility received acupuncture twice a week over a period of 5 weeks. The following acupuncture points were used as main points: Guan yuan (Ren 4), shen shu (UB 23, bilateral), ci liao (UB 32, bilateral), tai cong (Liv 3, bilateral), and tai xi (KI 3, bilateral). Secondary points included zhu san li (ST 36, bilateral), xue hai (SP 10, bilateral), san yin jiao (SP 6, bilateral), gui lai (ST 29, bilateral), and bai hui (Du 20). Needles were inserted to a depth of between 15 and 25 millimeters, depending on the region of the body being treated. Needles were manipulated for 10 minutes to achieve de qi, then left in place for another 25 minutes before being removed.

Semen samples were collected from each of the men after a 3-day period of sexual abstinence. Two samples were collected from each patient: one obtained the day before treatment began, the other after the last acupuncture treatment. Samples from the treatment group were then randomized with semen samples from 12 untreated control patients and analyzed.

Compared to the control group, motility levels increased significantly in semen samples in the men receiving acupuncture. While median motility levels increased from 32% to 37% in the control group, they increased from 44.5% to 50% in the acupuncture group.

The number and percentage of healthy sperm also increased dramatically in the acupuncture patients. At baseline, only 0.06% the sperm among men in the acupuncture group was considered "healthy," while the median number of healthy sperm calculated in ejaculate was 0.04 x 10 6 (40,000). After 10 sessions of treatments, the median percentage of healthy sperm had increased more than four-fold, to 0.26%, while the median number of healthy sperm per sample had reached 0.2 x 10 6 (200,000).

In addition, significant changes in sperm structure and quality were seen in the samples from the acupuncture group. Before treatment, only 22.5% of the sperm samples in the acupuncture patients contained normal-shaped acrosomes, a cap-like structure that develops over the anterior portion of a sperm cell's nucleus. After treatment, the median percentage of normal acrosome shapes showed a "statistically significant improvement" to 38.5%.

Similarly, the percentage of sperm with a normal axoneme pattern increased significantly among men receiving acupuncture. (The axoneme is a microscopic structure that contains a series of tubules arranged in a distinct pattern, and is believed to aid in sperm motility.) Prior to the start of the study, the correct axoneme pattern was present in 52% of sperm in the control group, but only 46.1% in the acupuncture group. After 5 weeks of therapy, the median percentage increased to 52.2% in acupuncture patients, but actually decreased to 38.2% in the control group.

While acupuncture appeared able to improve the overall quality and structural integrity of sperm, it was ineffective against some common sperm pathologies. Apoptosis levels (programmed cell death) in sperm samples were reduced slightly, but not to a statistically significant degree. Median percentages of necrosis (unprogrammed cell death) and sperm immaturity also decreased slightly in the acupuncture group, but not to a level considered statistically significant.

The authors concluded that despite the inability of acupuncture to significantly reduce some sperm abnormalities, the treatment could be used to improve overall sperm quality, leading to the possibility of increased fertility.

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http://www.floridaholistichealth.com/research.shtml

http://www.easternharmonyclinic.com/medart/medart07.html

http://www.longmontacupuncture.net/ivf.html

Quantitative evaluation of spermatozoa ultra structure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility

Pei, J., Erwin, S., Ulrich, N., Markus, A., Paola, P., Baccio, B., et al. (2005). Quantitative evaluation of spermatozoa ultrastructure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility. Fertility and Sterility, 84(1), 141-147.

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Controlled Studies Demonstrating The Effectiveness of Acupuncture On Pregnancy Rates

Dieterle, Y., Gao, H., & Wolfgang, N. (2006). Effect of acupuncture on the

outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplamic sperm injection: a randomized,

prospective, controlled study. Fertility and Sterility, 85(5), 1347-1351.

Magarelli, P.C., Cridenda, D.K., & Cohen, M. (2004). Acupuncture and good

prognosis IVF patients: synergy. Fertility and Sterility, 82, S80-81.

Paulus, W.E., Zhang, M., & Strehler, E., et al. (2002). Influence of acupuncture on the

pregnancy rate in  patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy.

Fertility and Sterility, 77, 721-724.

Westergaard. L. G., Mao, Q., Krogslund, M., Sandrini, S., & Grinsted, J. (2006).

Acupuncture on the the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the

reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial.

Fertility and Sterility, 85 (5), 1341-1346.

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Click here to read Dr. Neuenschwander's letter to Health Care Professional about Infertility and Acupunture.

To set up an appointment call:

BIO ENERGY MEDICAL CENTER

734-995-3200