A 2016 infertility acupuncture research study found that acupuncture combined with Clomid (a.k.a. clomiphene) was more effective than a Clomid + estrogen + progestin cocktail for treating infertility. In addition, the combination of acupuncture plus Clomid produces significantly higher pregnancy rates for women who don’t ovulate than the Clomid cocktail without acupuncture. Investigators published the data in a report entitled Effects of Acupuncture on the Endometrium in Anovulatory Cases Treated by Clomiphene: A Clinical Observation.
Acupuncture Improves Infertility
Adding acupuncture to Clomid therapy increased pregnancy rates, increased uterine circulation, and reduced adverse effects caused by clomiphene. Furthermore, the increased positive outcomes and reduced adverse effects support the research team’s conclusion that “TCM [Traditional Chinese Medicine] can be either applied alone or combined with Western medicine to increase pregnancy rates and treat infertility. With the help of acupuncture, treatment for infertility can be more effective while producing much less adverse effects.”
How Clomid Works
Clomid triggers the release of pituitary hormones that stimulate ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries). Unfortunately, the medication has several adverse side effects, particularly for women with endometriosis or uterine fibroids. In addition, Clomid increases the chances of having twins or triplets, which significantly increases the risks of pregnancy.
Understanding Estrogen and Progestin
Estradiol cypionate is an estrogen hormone often used to treat low estrogen levels. However, estrogen can cause blood clots, dark skin patches on the face, and other adverse effects. In addition, dydrogesterone is a steroidal progestin used in many countries to treat infertility and threatened miscarriages.
Infertility Acupuncture Research
This infertility acupuncture research study, conducted at the Tai’an Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in Tai’an, China, utilized a semi-protocolized approach to acupuncture point selection. Investigators assigned identical primary acupuncture points to all patients while selecting secondary acupuncture points based on differential diagnosis.
As a variable control, researchers limited secondary acupuncture point prescriptions to one of three acupuncture point groupings: liver qi stagnation, phlegm dampness, and blood stasis. Next, they randomly divided patients into three groups. Finally, they made diagnostic decisions for the additional secondary acupuncture points based on TCM guidelines.
Infertility Study Participants
Researchers randomly assigned forty-three patients into three groups:
- Group 1 received only Clomid.
- Group 2 received Clomid plus estrogen and progestin.
- Group 3 received Clomid plus acupuncture.
Patients in the infertility acupuncture research study ranged from age 21 to 39. The pre-existing duration of anovulatory infertility (no ovulation) ranged from 1 to 8 years. Patients received the following medications and therapy:
- Groups 1 and 2 received 50–100 mg of Clomid once a day.
- Group 2 also received 1 mg of estrogen and 10 mg of progestin.
- Group 3 received Clomid plus acupuncture.
Acupuncture Treatment for Infertility
Participants in Group 3 received acupuncture treatments starting on the fifth day of their cycle for five consecutive days for three months. Providers used the following acupoints for all patients:
- CV4 (Guanyuan)
- CV3 (Zhongji)
- Zigong
- ST29 (Guilai)
- SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
- ST36 (Zusanli)
They incorporated additional points based on the patients’ particular pattern diagnosis. For example, for patients presenting with liver qi stagnation, providers added BL18 (Ganshu). Patients with phlegm and dampness received ST40 (Fenglong). And those showing signs of blood stasis received acupoints SP10 (Xuehai) and LV2 (Xingjian).
In addition to acupuncture, providers incorporated moxibustion treatment, which added gentle heat to specific points on the low abdomen. Sessions lasted 30 minutes, once a day, beginning ten days after ovulation at the following points:
- Zigong
- CV3 (Zhongji)
- CV4 (Guanyuan)
- ST29 (Guilai)
Conclusions
Investigators in this infertility acupuncture research study found strong evidence indicating that acupuncture increased pregnancy rates for women with anovulatory infertility and other forms of infertility. In addition, they concluded that acupuncture was an effective complementary therapy to drug therapy and IVF protocols.
Furthermore, research indicated that acupuncture provided additional benefits in reducing the adverse effects of infertility medications like Clomid, estrogen, and progestin. Based on these findings, the investigators concluded that acupuncture was an appropriate, safe, and effective complementary therapy for infertility treatment.
Next Steps
At Raleigh Acupuncture, our experience aligns with the conclusions drawn in this infertility acupuncture research study. Try acupuncture if you are struggling with infertility. Treatments are safe and natural and provide excellent results.
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Additional Resources
Watch Video About Our Infertility Treatment.
Additional Infertility Acupuncture Research Study.
Infertility Acupuncture Case Study.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
Reference
Effects of Acupuncture on the Endometrium in Anovulatory Cases Treated by Clomiphene: A Clinical Observation. Journal of Taishan Medical College. 2016, 37(9):1029-1031.
Focus Keyphrase: infertility acupuncture research
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What our Clients are Saying
I was scheduled for IVF and they suggested I get acupuncture beforehand to increase my chances of success. I went to Raleigh Acupuncture for a month before the procedure. It was very relaxing and definitely reduced my stress levels. My uterine lining also increased more than ever before. The IVF was a success and I’m now pregnant. It was definitely worth doing the acupuncture. I did not want to have to repeat IVF for $25K a pop. And when I got morning sickness, they cured that too!
I sought Raleigh Acupuncture’s help in 2010 following a miscarriage. Happily, in 2011, I had a very healthy little boy. My son is 11 months old. I tell everyone how much you got me back on track after my miscarriage – it was truly amazing. I had a great pregnancy too.
My husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for the past two years. I had undergone three rounds of Clomid with no success and the doctor was talking about IVF. We didn’t have the money for that, so we tried acupuncture. They took a lot of time to explain what they were doing with the acupuncture and Chinese herbs. I learned so much about my cycle and the reasons I was having trouble getting pregnant. They said it would take 3 to 6 months to get pregnant, and sure enough, after 3 months I was pregnant! It seems like a miracle to me. I’m so grateful to Raleigh Acupuncture. Thank you!!!