In China, acupuncture has been used to treat infertility since ancient times. In one recent study, women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) in combination with acupuncture had a considerably higher rate of pregnancy than those who did not receive acupuncture (42.5% versus 26.3%). This was demonstrated in a highly publicized German study that came out in 2002 (Paulus 2002). Previous studies using pigs showed similar results (Lin et al 1988). One possible explanation for the mechanism involved is that the uterus typically undergoes several contractions while an embryo is being transferred, which significantly reduces the chances of successful implantation. Researchers chose acupuncture points that relax the uterus according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Also, because of its effects on the neuroendocrine system, acupuncture may help optimize endometrial receptivity.

Paulus W, et al. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and Sterility April 2002;77(4):721-4.

Lin J H, Liu S H, Chan W W, Wu L S, Pi W P 1988 Effects of electroacupuncture and gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatments on hormonal changes in anoestrous sows. American Journal of Chinese Medicine XVI: 117-126

Gerhard I, Postneek F. Auricular acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility. Gynecol Endocrinol 1992 Sep;6(3):171-81 CONCLUSION: “Based on our data, auricular acupuncture seems to offer a valuable alternative therapy for female infertility due to hormone disorders.”

Stener-Victorin E, Lundeberg T, Waldenstrom Effects of electro-acupuncture on corticotropin-releasing factor in rats with experimentally-induced polycystic ovaries. Neuropeptides 2001 Oct-Dec;35(5-6):227-31. CONCLUSIONS: “This finding indicates that repeated EA treatments change the neuroendocrinological state in the ovaries, which may play an important role in reproductive failure.”

Stener-Victorin E, Lundeberg T, Waldenstrom U, Bileviciute-Ljungar I, Janson PO. . Effects of electro-acupuncture on corticotropin-releasing factor in rats with experimentally-induced polycystic ovaries. Neuropeptides 2001 Oct-Dec;35(5-6):227-31 . RESULTS: “Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) concentrations in the ovaries were significantly reduced in the polycystic ovaries (PCO) group receiving electro-acupuncture (EA) compared with the PCO control group. Also, there was a decrease in comparison with the healthy control group but the decrease was not as significant. This finding indicates that repeated EA treatments change the neuroendocrinological state in the ovaries, which may play an important role in reproductive failure.”

Chen BY. Acupuncture normalizes dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Acupunct Electrother Res 1997;22(2):97-108. CONCLUSIONS: “Clinical observation showed that electro-acupuncture (EA) with the effective acupoints could cure some anovulatory patients in a highly effective rate and the experimental results suggested that EA might regulate the dysfunction of HPOA in several ways, which means EA could influence some gene expression of brain, thereby, normalizing secretion of some hormones, such as GnRH, LH and E2.”

Stener-Victorin E, Waldenstrom U, Tagnfors U, Lundeberg T, Lindstedt G, Janson PO. Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2000 Mar;79(3):180-8. CONCLUSION: “Repeated electro-acupuncture (EA) treatments induce regular ovulations in more than one third of the women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The group of women with good effect had a less androgenic hormonal profile before treatment and a less pronounced metabolic disturbance compared with the group with no effect. For this selected group EA offers an alternative to pharmacological ovulation induction.”