Best Acupuncture Protocols for IVF & IUI

A consensus has been achieved amongst acupuncture experts on the best treatment protocols for acupuncture enhancement when patients undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) fertility treatments. ART includes all fertility treatments in which both the eggs and sperm are handled (i.e. in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

ART has been used in the United States since 1981 to help women become pregnant. Although acupuncture for fertility and Chinese medicine for the treatment of infertility is a very common practice in Asia, the combination of acupuncture with ART has only recently emerged in the past few years as an effective approach for improving pregnancy and live birth rates.

In this study, researchers set out to determine if a consensus exists on high-priority acupuncture points for the enhancement of ART. To complete this, they administered three rounds of questionnaires to fifteen international acupuncture fertility experts to determine if a consensus exists on best practice protocols.

The study revealed that several key components are essential to the use of acupuncture and ART combination.

The timing of the acupuncture treatment in relation to the menstrual cycle is of great importance.
An acupuncture treatment completed between days 6 and 8 of the "stimulated ART cycle" is optimal.
It is ideal to have two (2) acupuncture treatments on the "day of embryo transfer."
Pre-transfer acupuncture points of high priority include Spleen 8, 10, Liver 3, Stomach 29, and Conception Vessel 4.
Post-transfer acupuncture points include Kidney 3, Spleen 6, Pericardium 6, and Governor Vessel 20.
Auricular acupuncture points were also considered to be of high value including Shenmen and ZiGong.

By stimulating these acupuncture points for IVF and IUI, acupuncturists optimize the body's receptivity to fertility treatments, increase implantation rates, and support overall reproductive health, offering a holistic approach to complement IUI and IVF procedures. It is important that IVF acupuncture protocols are fulfilled by licensed acupuncturists to ensure they are done correctly.