Success with Acupuncture

FutureMrsW9 · September 2013

Hi Ladies - I'm posting here from the IF and 3T boards. I'm moving along in my first IVF w/FET cycle. I just started estrogen yesterday for my FET on 10/6, and my RE's office mentioned something about laser acupuncture. Did any of you do this? Do you think it contributed to your success? Maybe it's too late to start at this point if I haven't done it before? I've always been skeptical about "holistic" methods, so I wanted to get a few success story opinions on it before I research any further. Thanks in advance!!

MJC1116 · September 2013

I didn't do IVF (we started with IUIs and got lucky with our 2nd), but I had done acupuncture for a year up until we had success. I've never heard of laser acupuncture.. that sounds interesting! I truly believe that acupuncture helped to adjust my cycles. I went from having a high FSH (12.8 at the age of 27), small AFC (11), and short luteal phase/late ovulation (LP around 8 days) to everything going back to normal. I can only attribute that to acupuncture.

I also have to say that if acupuncture was not the reason why I saw vast changes in my cycles, it definitely helped my stress level. My acupuncturist became my therapist and every treatment helped to heal me a little bit more, especially as infertility began to take a toll on my emotional stability.

I have heard -- from both my RE and acupuncturist -- that acupuncture can improve IVF success rates by a certain percentage. I'm sorry I don't have that number off hand. Maybe somebody else can share.

Whatever you decide, I wanted to wish you good luck!

xladybassx · September 2013

I did traditional acupuncture (not laser) starting about 9 months before our IVF cycle. We had hoped that acupuncture in conjunction with IUI would be successful but alas, it was not. I continued acupuncture through our IVF cycle which was successful. I have no idea if the accupuncture helped that success or not, but it definitely helped with stress and pain management. I think in the end, accupuncture definitely will not hurt anything with your cycle, it only has the potential to help. I have no experience with the laser method, but if the results are similar to traditional acupuncture I would recommend it.

golfrgal · September 2013

I did the laser acupuncture with my IVF, but also have been doing traditional acupuncture since the start of my first cycle and haven't stopped going. It's so nice and relaxing (and I like that my dr. can clear my sinuses every week without having to take allergy meds).

The laser one was completely different than traditional. No needles at all. The tech has you put on giant "sunglasses" to protect your eyes from the beam, then she wheels the cart with the machine into your ET room. It has a handheld "gun" device (much like the kind you zap a registry with) and it beeps when she pulls the trigger. She does a different location for a few seconds each and you instantly feel that body part relax. It's pretty cool. I really liked when she started in my ear...I have never had that part done with a needle. I totally recommend doing it for the relaxion!

jezebel57 · September 2013

i did traditional acu with my 3 IUI's and then again a week before IVF #1. i wasn't crazy about my practitioner and after the IVF failed switched to a different acu and have been going to this lady since february. i went every 2 weeks before, throughout, and after my successful IVF in May and am now going monthly since hitting 2nd trimester. I attribute it to balancing out my hormones and continuing to support the pregnancy by keeping my immune system at bay. good luck!

FutureMrsW9 · September 2013

Thanks ladies - the input is helpful!

@golfrgal Thanks! After my ER they gave me a flyer for laser acupuncture, and I'm thinking about it. I've never done it before, but do you think it's necessary? I wouldn't want to shock my body on ET day. It sounds like a massage might have a similar affect, and I would definitely do that if nothing else.

PhillyJ33 · September 2013

I did traditional acupuncture for 3 months prior to my IVF and I just stopped going (to save money). Like PP I think it helped my stress level and I enjoyed it. My acu came to my transfer and I did a treatment prior to and after ET. That was a huge stress relief as well.

JewelsW1980 · September 2013

I did traditional acu throughout my FET cycle, I couldn't tell you that it helped but I know it didn't hurt anything either. I found it relaxing and actually slept through a lot of my appointments.

golfrgal · September 2013

FutureMrsW9 said:

Thanks ladies - the input is helpful!

@golfrgal Thanks! After my ER they gave me a flyer for laser acupuncture, and I'm thinking about it. I've never done it before, but do you think it's necessary? I wouldn't want to shock my body on ET day. It sounds like a massage might have a similar affect, and I would definitely do that if nothing else.

It won't shock your body, and neither will ET. ET is really simple. It's like a pap smear or IUI really. Just a dr. sticking something up there. Quick and painless. Your nerves on the other hand may need calming. IMO, I'd do the acupuncture over massage if your RE office offers it. They are trained to know what to do for IVF vs. masseuse who may or may not hit the right pressure points.

Peanutz21 · September 2013

I did only laser immediately before and right after my FET. I didn't have the sense to do acupuncture prior as my work schedule blows. It didn't cause any physical discomfort. I don't even know if it relaxed me. All I know is I don't regret doing it. I wonder though if outcome was different if I would regret not doing it. DH talked me into it -he figured what's another $200 in the grand scheme of things. And the flyer said success rates were "higher" fwiw. Good luck!

oO Angie Oo · September 2013

I love all these positive replies about acupuncture. I remember being on the IF boards and some people were so negative about it I did acupuncture my last cycle of IUI with injectables and got my BFP. All my other cycles I just wasn't responding the way I needed to and we saw measurable improvement after acupuncture. My acupuncture guy here in Los Angeles was pretty pricey though but he was amazing. (And he was like an organic-y, tea drinking, version of Adam Levine without tattoos. Haha) I personally didn't feel like it helped with anxiety like it does for others and I would be very dehydrated afterwards but I highly recommend. Idk about laser acupuncture though.

Gr8te · September 2013

I hate acupuncture. It never made me relax. My RE said it wasn't necessary before and after transfer but he recommends electro acupuncture for almost all patients to help increase uterine blood flow before transfer. I think I did 8 sessions before transfer and I'm pregnant.