Research in Acupuncture, Infertility and IVF

Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial.

Westergaard LG, Mao Q, Krogslund M, Sandrini S, Lenz S, Grinsted J.
Fertility Clinic Trianglen, Hellerup, Denmark.
Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1341-6. Epub 2006 Apr 5.

Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer.
Smith C, Coyle M, Norman RJ.
School of Health Science, The University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia.
Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1352-8. Epub 2006 Apr 5.

Acupuncture prior to and at embryo transfer in an assisted conception unit–a case series.
Johnson D.
Chobham Acupuncture Clinic, Chobham, Surrey.
Acupunct Med. 2006 Mar;24(1):23-8.

Acupuncture and infertility: we need to stick to good science.
Domar AD.
Domar Center for Complementary Healthcare, Boston IVF, Massachusetts, USA.
Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1359-61; discussion 1368-70. Epub 2006 Apr 5.

Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.
Dieterle S, Ying G, Hatzmann W, Neuer A.
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany.
Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1347-51. Epub 2006 Apr 17.

Stress and outcome success in IVF: the role of self-reports and endocrine variables.
Smeenk JM, Verhaak CM, Vingerhoets AJ, Sweep CG, Merkus JM, Willemsen SJ, van Minnen A, Straatman H, Braat DD.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, PO Box 9101, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Hum Reprod. 2005 Apr;20(4):991-6. Epub 2005 Jan 21.

Electro-acupuncture as a peroperative analgesic method and its effects on implantation rate and neuropeptide Y concentrations in follicular fluid.
Stener-Victorin E, Waldenstrom U, Wikland M, Nilsson L, Hagglund L, Lundeberg T.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Goteborg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Hum Reprod. 2003 Jul;18(7):1454-60.

Spontaneous conception in a 50-year old woman after giving up in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) treatments: involvement of the psychological relief in successful pregnancy.
Matsubayashi H, Iwasaki K, Hosaka T, Sugiyama Y, Suzuki T, Izumi S, Makino T.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Growth and Reproductive Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Tokai J Exp Clin Med. 2003 Apr;28(1):9-15.

Stress relief after infertility treatment–spontaneous conception, adoption and psychological counselling.
Kupka MS, Dorn C, Richter O, Schmutzler A, van der Ven H, Kulczycki A.

Fertility Workgroup–Reproduction Medicine & Endocrinology, Munich University Hospital–City Centre, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Maistrasse 11, D-80337, Muenchen, Germany.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2003 Oct 10;110(2):190-5.

Measuring and identifying large-study metrics for circadian rhythm disruption in female flight attendants.
Grajewski B, Nguyen MM, Whelan EA, Cole RJ, Hein MJ.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, United States.
Scand J Work Environ Health. 2003 Oct;29(5):337-46.

A review of psychosocial interventions in infertility.
Boivin J.
School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3YG, UK.
Soc Sci Med. 2003 Dec;57(12):2325-41.

Alternative treatments in reproductive medicine: much ado about nothing. Acupuncture-a method of treatment in reproductive medicine: lack of evidence of an effect does not equal evidence of the lack of an effect.
Stener-Victorin E, Wikland M, Waldenstrom U, Lundeberg T.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Goteborg University, SE-413 45 Goteborg, Sweden.
Hum Reprod. 2002 Aug;17(8):1942-6.

Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility
Chang R, Chung PH, Rosenwaks Z.
The Institute of East-West Medicine, New York, New York, USA
The Department of Internal Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA

Fertil Steril. 2002 Dec;78(6):1149-53.

Auricular acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility
Gerhard I, Postneek F.
Department for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproduction, Women’s Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Gynecol Endocrinol. 1992 Sep;6(3):171-81.

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
Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4.

Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture
Stener-Victorin E, Waldenstrom U, Andersson SA, Wikland M.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility Centre Scandinavia, University of Gothenburg, S-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Hum Reprod. 1996 Jun;11(6):1314-7.

Acupuncture Treatment For Infertile Women Undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection
Emmons S, Patton P.
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR
Medical Acupuncture: A Journal For Physicians By Physicians, 2000 Spring / Summer Volume 12 / Number 2

The impact of group psychological interventions on distress in infertile women
Domar AD, Clapp D, Slawsby E, Kessel B, Orav J, Freizinger M.
Mind/Body Medical Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, USA
Health Psychol. 2000 Nov;19(6):568-75.

Does recommending timed intercourse really help the infertile couple?
Agarwal SK, Haney AF.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
Obstet Gynecol. 1994 Aug;84(2):307-10.

Stress and other environmental factors affecting fertility in men and women: overview.
Negro-Vilar A.
Laboratory of Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Environ Health Perspect. 1993 Jul;101 Suppl 2:59-64.

Psychosocial stress as a cause of infertility.
Wasser SK, Sewall G, Soules MR.
Endocrine Research Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia 22630
Fertil Steril. 1993 Mar;59(3):685-9.

Stress and human reproduction
Schenker JG, Meirow D, Schenker E.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1992 Jun 16;45(1):1-8

Acupuncture and Infertility

Infertility General Information [Click here].

Case Report: Infertility & Acupuncture [Click here].

FAQ about Infertility & Acupuncture [Click here].

Acupuncture in the News

Acupuncture used as infertility therapy. [Click here].

Coordinating power of circadian rhythms keeps estrus and pregnancy on track. [Click here].

Research Articles of Interest

Research in Acupuncture, Infertility and IVF. [Click here].