Acupuncture's impact on IVF

Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can enhance pregnancy and live birth rates in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Research, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, indicates that acupuncture, particularly when administered around the time of embryo transfer, may improve clinical pregnancy rates by up to 30% compared to control groups. For instance, a 2019 meta-analysis published in Fertility and Sterility found that acupuncture significantly increased pregnancy rates (odds ratio of 1.42) and live birth rates (odds ratio of 1.30) in women undergoing IVF, potentially by improving uterine blood flow, reducing stress, and modulating reproductive hormones. These effects are thought to create a more favorable environment for embryo implantation and development.