Can acupuncture cure infertility?

Great Answer

Professionally Researched. (What's this?)

On One Hand: Increased Fertility with Acupuncture

A study published in the Fertility and Sterility Journal reported that women who received acupuncture in combination with in vitro fertilization were more likely to conceive. Another study conducted by the University of Heidelberg in Germany found that acupuncture was slightly more effective than hormone therapy for treating infertility. Men who underwent twice weekly acupuncture treatment had increased sperm motility, improved sperm quality and higher fertilization rates, according to a study published in the Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

On the Other: Limited Research

Research on the effectiveness of acupuncture and infertility is limited. Promising results in the few studies conducted are not enough to deem acupuncture a scientifically valid infertility treatment.

Bottom Line

Early studies show that acupuncture does increase fertility in both men and women, especially when used in combination with western medicine. Acupuncture is considered a safe procedure with a minimum risk of side effects when performed by a trained professional, according to the University of Maryland. In the very least, acupuncture provides stress relief, which may increase the chance of fertilization in women. Inform your acupuncturist if there is a chance that you are pregnant so that certain acupuncture points that could endanger the pregnancy are avoided.

Source:

Fertility and Sterility 77(4):721-4; Influence of Acupuncture on the Pregnancy Rate in Patients Who Undergo Assisted Reproduction Therapy; Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, Germany; April 2002

Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology 22(3):228-30; Influence of Acupuncture on Idiopathic Male Infertility in Assisted Reproductive Technology; Zhang M, Huang G, Lu F, Paulus WE, Sterzik K; Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan; 2002

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 9(1):72-83; Is Acupuncture Safe? A Systematic Review of Case Reports; Lao L, Hamilton GR, Fu J, Berman BM; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Complementary Medicine Program, Baltimore, USA; Jan-Feb 2003

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Can acupuncture cure infertility?

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