P-178: Is There Any Role for Acupuncture in Infertility Treatment?

s:3252:"Background: Acupuncture is one of the most popular forms of alternative medicine used in the treatment of infertility. But what is acupuncture? Can it really help to get pregnant? Acupuncture involves placing hair-thin needles into particular points in the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, these points run along "energy lines" called meridians. By needling specific points, acupuncture is said to regulate the body's hormones and organs. Whether or not acupuncture can improve pregnancy rates is controversial. Some research studies have shown promise, while others have found no link between acupuncture treatment and improved pregnancy rates. The only thing just about everyone agrees on is that acupuncture can increase relaxation, help with pain, and lower stress levels. Given the stress of infertility, acupuncture may be worth a shot. No one is certain how acupuncture works, but there are theories. Materials and Methods: In this review article it was decided to search in internet about the acupuncture and its role in infertility and this review summarizes the recent studies which investigated the role of acupuncture in infertility the search was performed with key word of acupuncture and infertility and there were about 68 papers in regard to the acupuncture and infertility. Results: About the mechanism of acupuncture there is one theory says that by needling points on the body, chemicals and hormones are triggered and released. These chemicals either change the experience of pain, or they trigger a cascade of chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system. The improved energy flow and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture stimulates the body's natural healing abilities, and enhances physical and emotional well-being. Research has shown specifically that acupuncture increases the amount of beta-endorphins flowing through the body. Beta-endorphins Are feel-good hormones that help lessen pain. Exercise is also known to boost the amount of beta-endorphins in the body. The research on acupuncture and infertility is ongoing, and the topic is controversial. Some studies have been too small to prove a definitive connection to improved pregnancy rates, and some studies contradict each other in their results. With that said, here are a few of possible benefits of acupuncture, according to the preliminary research: Improved pregnancy rates during IVF treatment cycles, when acupuncture takes place on the day of embryo transfer Increased blood flow to the uterus, leading to an improved endometrial lining Reduced stress and anxiety levels Possible improvement in ovulation for women with PCOS Possible improvement in sperm count and quality in men with infertility. Possible regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn could help regulate ovulation. Conclusion: Even though a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility has been found, well-designed multicenter, prospective randomized controlled studies are still needed to provide more reliable and valid scientific evidence. Furthermore, it is urgent and necessary to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture for infertility.";