The difficulties of dealing with infertility can lead to emotional stress within a relationship and further work against the possibilities of conception. Understanding infertility and the various treatment options can help a couple better cope with the situation.
Infertility is diagnosed when a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy after repeated intercourse without contraception for 1 year. Infertility affects approximately 1 out of 5 couples in the United States and has become increasingly common because people are getting married and trying to have children at a later age. It’s interesting to note that up to 60% of couples that have not conceived after a year of trying, do eventually conceive with or without treatment. Age is a primary factor for women making pregnancy more difficult. The risk of complications during pregnancy increases with age. The time for resolving infertility issues is limited for women over the age of 35 who are approaching menopause.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has become a popular treatment choice for infertility. IVF is a procedure in which egg cells are fertilized outside of the woman’s body and transferred back into the uterus with the intent to establish a successful pregnancy. The first IVF baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born in England on July 25, 1978. IVF is not appropriate for all infertility cases so it’s best to consult a physician about your particular condition. The website – www.RESOLVE.org is an excellent resource on infertility.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information reports that the chances of producing one full-term baby are only about 18 to 25% for each IVF procedure. Studies have shown augmenting IVF with acupuncture treatments have increased the success rate. A German clinical study several years ago found supporting IVF with acupuncture attained a 42% success rate compared to a 26% success rate in a control group that did not receive acupuncture. In addition, acupuncture was reported to be effective in the treatment of various conditions of infertility by the World Health Organization. It is recommended to start acupuncture and herbal treatments 3 months prior to the IVF procedure. Infertility treatments for women are focused on improving the function of the ovaries, strengthening the immune system, reducing stress and the side effects of IVF drugs, improving implantation and preventing miscarriage. Male infertility requires a focus on semen quality and quantity. Counseling on diet & lifestyle changes are also considered. More information on Acupuncture and IVF can be found here.
Christopher Carlow, D. Ac.Doctor of Acupuncture August 1, 2006
