Accupuncture
3 Replies
erin - March 17

Dr. Smith:

What's your feeling on accupuncture at the time of transfer? Do you know of any reliable data that indicated if it is helpful in the implantation process?

Just curious.

Thanks.

Erin

 

Dr Smith - March 18

I am not aware of any "reliable" data to support the use of accupunture at the time of transfer or during the peri-implantation period. As far as I know, there has been no prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study to determine the efficacy of accupunture in the treatment of any aspect of infertility. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to have any bad effects, so it can't hurt. My wife is asian and believes in accupunture, so I try to keep an open mind about these things (accupunture, herbals, etc.), but my scientific training makes me somewhat skeptical until I see irrefutable "proof".

 

Tatty - May 14

You may find this study interesting:

http://wellspringin
tegrative.com/acup_invitro.htm

A
s
published in fertility & sterility Oct 2002

Regards,

Tatty

 

Dr Smith - May 16

The author's rationale to justify the use of accupunture is based on improved blood flow to the uterus at the time of transfer and uterine relaxation. The authors found no difference in uterine blood flow with accupunture. Uterine contractions were not measured, so who knows. Although the difference in pregnancy rate was statistically significant, is it was just barely significant (p=0.03). Furthermore, the average number of previous cycles for both groups was 2, so maybe it was just the luck of the draw that the 3rd time was the charm for some of the women. Even the authors conclude that their study is flawed, as the pyschological placebo effect was not addressed. My opinion is that it is just another pseudo-scientific, half-assed study that fails to demonstrate any real benefit from accupunture. I'm trying to keep an open mind here, but studies like this only end up clouding the waters.

 

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