Acupuncture and IUI are both treatments that have been studied as a way to help women who are infertile be able to conceive and carry a baby to full term. Before you learn the effects of both of these treatments together, it is important to understand each of them individually.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese remedy that has been studied for years both in China and around the world. Acupuncture is the treatment in which needles are inserted into points of the body to help relieve pain or as a therapeutic treatment. Because of its therapeutic nature, acupuncture has been found to increase fertility, especially when combined with an IUI or IVF treatment.
IUI, also known as Intrauterine Insemination, is also known as artificial insemination or AI. IUI is accomplished by placing a tube into the uterus, and cleaned sperm is sent straight into the uterus. IUI is the cheapest of the assisted fertilization techniques, and so is recommended as the first selection for infertility.
Acupuncture and IUI
When these two methods are put together, there is a greater chance for positive results, and pregnancy is often achieved. Most specialists recommended receiving acupuncture for at least 3 months before trying to combine it with IUI. As they say, this will help you to achieve the highest potential for success. You should also continue with the acupuncture after receiving the sperm transfer for at least another few weeks to help facilitate the success of the IUI.
Success Rates and Results
Acupuncture by itself has received good ratings when it comes to pregnancy results, and when combined with IUI or IVF, the pregnancy rates are even higher. Overall success rates for IUI are usually between 15 and 20%. However, rates can be higher, at around 30%, when combined with acupuncture and other fertility drugs. Men can receive acupuncture too, which is said to increase the quality of the sperm they are producing, thus making it easier for the woman to become pregnant as well.
There has been much more research done on the pregnancy rates in women receiving IVF in conjunction with acupuncture, and some offices say that they have seen results of up to 65% pregnancy rates when IVF and acupuncture have been combined.
It is important to remember, however, that even though you may become pregnant easier when combining acupuncture and IUI; the baby may still not make it to full term. If you have miscarried in the past, you may want to speak with your fertility or acupuncture specialist to see if there are any other treatments that may be combined with acupuncture and IUI to help you carry the baby to term once you have become pregnant.
Failed IUI or IVF
One other thing to be aware of is previously failed attempts with IUI or IVF. Just because you have had previously failed IUI or IVF attempts doesn't mean that this will happen again. In fact, when combining these procedures with acupuncture, the pregnancy rates almost double, as shown above. So, don't hesitate to receive another treatment combined with the acupuncture and see if your results can be altered.
