Author: Grace Yu (Yu Hsin Tzu)
In an era of rapid advancement in modern medicine, the treatment methods for infertility have become increasingly diverse. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one option for couples facing infertility. However, with the success rates of IVF/IUI often falling short of expectations—ranging from 30% to 50%—many patients begin to seek supplementary methods to enhance their chances of success. The success rate of IVF is influenced by various factors, including the woman’s age, ovarian function, fertilization techniques, and embryo quality.
Factors Affecting the Success Rate of Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Age
Research shows that women under 35 have higher success rates, which gradually decline with age. After 35, both the quality and quantity of eggs significantly decrease, leading to at least a 26% reduction in pregnancy rates, primarily due to declining ovarian function. - Quality and Quantity of Eggs and Sperm
The number and quality of both eggs and sperm directly affect embryo quality and IVF success rates. Women can assess their egg quantity and quality through tests for AMH and FSH, while men can evaluate sperm quality and quantity through sperm analysis. - Uterine Environment
The uterine lining typically allows for embryo implantation around 6-9 days post-ovulation or days 19-21 of a normal menstrual cycle. Conditions such as uterine fibroids, polyps, and adenomyosis can adversely affect implantation and pregnancy maintenance. Additionally, luteal phase defects can lead to abnormal uterine lining thickness, while immune factors may cause recurrent miscarriages.
Increasingly, studies indicate that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and herbal treatments, can effectively enhance IVF success rates. Research shows that combining Western medicine with TCM acupuncture increases the likelihood of ongoing pregnancies by 38% and reduces miscarriage rates by 42%. TCM helps improve the body’s condition, enhances ovarian function, and improves egg and sperm quality, thereby increasing the number of eggs retrieved and embryo quality while creating a favorable uterine environment for implantation, thus improving pregnancy maintenance success rates.
How TCM Enhances the Success Rate of Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Improving Physical Condition for Fertility Preparation
Acupuncture and herbal treatments can effectively improve the conditions of the uterus and ovaries. Scientifically validated herbal medicines ensure no heavy metal residues and are prescribed by qualified practitioners to effectively support fertility.
The choice of herbal treatments and acupuncture points is tailored to individual differences, fundamentally improving physical conditions and laying a solid foundation for IVF success.
Common Patterns of Infertility
- Kidney Qi Deficiency
Weak Kidney Qi leads to fatigue, low energy, and weakness in the lower back and knees, resulting in insufficient support for the reproductive system. - Kidney Yang Deficiency
Symptoms include cold hands and feet, fear of cold, and pale complexion. This condition can result in irregular menstruation or amenorrhea, affecting overall metabolic activity and reproductive capacity. - Kidney Yin Deficiency
Symptoms include night sweats, hot hands and feet, dry throat, and dizziness. This condition reflects insufficient Yin fluids, affecting the nourishment of reproductive organs. - Liver Qi Stagnation
Emotional distress, chest tightness, and menstrual irregularities characterize this pattern, which highlights the negative impact of emotional stress on reproductive health. - Phlegm-Dampness
Symptoms include a heavy, sluggish feeling, chest tightness, and thick tongue coating. This pattern can obstruct the smooth flow of Qi and blood, affecting reproductive organ function. - Blood Stasis
Common symptoms include blood clots in menstrual flow and abdominal pain. Blood stasis hinders normal circulation, affecting the supply of Qi and blood to reproductive organs, thereby impacting the chances of conception.
Advantages of TCM in Supporting IVF
- Improving Ovarian Function
Acupuncture and herbal medicine enhance blood circulation to the ovaries, improve egg quality, and increase ovarian responsiveness to IVF medication, significantly impacting the success rate. - Enhancing Uterine Lining Receptivity
By promoting Qi and blood circulation, acupuncture and herbal treatments improve the thickness and quality of the uterine lining, creating a better environment for embryo implantation. - Reducing IVF-related Side Effects
Hormonal medications used during IVF can cause side effects like mood swings and abdominal pain. Acupuncture and herbal treatments can help alleviate these symptoms, enhancing overall comfort. - Regulating the Endocrine System
Acupuncture and herbal treatments help balance hormonal levels, promoting normal endocrine function and improving reproductive capacity. - Reducing Stress and Improving Emotional Well-being
Psychological stress during IVF can negatively affect treatment outcomes. Acupuncture and herbal treatments can mitigate stress and enhance emotional stability. - Increasing Blood Flow and Improving Uterine Environment
Acupuncture and herbal treatments enhance pelvic blood flow, increasing the blood supply to the uterus and ovaries, which aids embryo implantation and stability, thereby improving pregnancy rates.
Principles and Frequency of TCM Treatment
To enhance IVF success rates through acupuncture, the treatment stages and methods are as follows:
Stage 1: Preparation Phase (3-6 months before IVF treatment)
Focus on stabilizing the menstrual cycle, improving uterine environment, and ovarian function. Acupuncture targets nourishing the kidneys, regulating the liver, and promoting blood circulation, with weekly sessions of 1-2 treatments, possibly supplemented with herbal medicine.
Stage 2: Ovulation Induction Phase
Acupuncture continues to focus on nourishing the kidneys and enhancing blood flow. This stage enhances ovarian response to hormonal medications, improving egg quality and uterine lining thickness with weekly sessions of 1-2 treatments.
Stage 3: Egg Retrieval to Embryo Transfer Preparation Phase
Strengthen uterine lining function and receptivity in preparation for embryo transfer. Acupuncture treatments (1-2 sessions) during this phase can increase embryo implantation rates and alleviate discomfort from the egg retrieval process.
Stage 4: Post-Embryo Transfer Phase (Key two-week period after embryo transfer)
Focus on maintaining good blood supply to the uterine lining and improving luteal function to support embryo implantation and development. Weekly sessions of acupuncture (2 times) can enhance blood flow to the uterine lining.
Stage 5: Pregnancy Maintenance Phase (Preventing early miscarriage)
The goal is to continue nourishing the kidneys and stabilizing the pregnancy. Weekly follow-ups, primarily through herbal treatments or acupuncture, ensure stable development for at least three months.
People with poor egg quality, low egg count, adenomyosis, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, insufficient uterine lining thickness, recurrent miscarriages, immune issues, or low sperm motility are advised to consider TCM for better physical condition before entering IVF treatments to achieve improved outcomes.
