IVF and Acupuncture
In 2002, Wolfgang Paulus (et al.) investigated the use of acupuncture treatments just before and just after an embryo transfer. And the results were stunning. Those who received acupuncture before and after had a pregnancy rate of 42.5%. Those who did not had a pregnancy rate of 26.3%. For those of you who are interested in research the way I am, you can read the study here!
You can imagine that this rocked the research world. Suddenly fertility doctors and specialists started to become aware of the benefits of acupuncture and how it can interface with ART (assisted reproductive technologies). The acupuncturists in this study also became widely known and the acupuncture points that they utilized in certain order became known as the Paulus protocol. You would be hard pressed to find a fertility acupuncturist today who is not aware of the Paulus protocol.
The protocol is amazing and contains a lot of points that I use daily in my own acupuncture practice- simply put, I can see why they were used in the first place.
But, over time, I have realized that the protocol has become something of a weight or a stone in my stomach. I remember my first ever IVF transfer patient. She came in with specific orders from her fertility doctor for me to use the Paulus protocol on her. I remember feeling worried, confused, and uncertain I was even doing the protocol correctly. I didn’t want to mess this up for her.
But, then I realized, I cannot mess this up for her. Chinese Medicine is intrinsically designed to be unique to you. It is not a “protocol” based medicine. I recently read a meta-analysis by Smith et al, (2019) in which they ascertained that the protocol is not the only way to reach and support those undergoing reproductive support! And to use only a protocol based on one research study is taking Chinese Medicine and acupuncture and bending it into a form of Western Medicine. (By the way, you can read that article here).
I didn’t get into this medicine to treat everyone identically. I began this acupuncture clinic to create space, listen to my patients, and support them to the best of my ability. I feel that holding this Paulus protocol and really examining it is the best support that I can give.
So, while I love the points and protocol itself (there is so much value in it), I have found that each person undergoing ART in my office is still treated as an individual.
This is also the basis of research. Treating one study as the holy grail of treatments (particularly because that study is now over 20 years old!) is fallacy. Research is supposed to grow, bend, evolve, and change with time! We expand and contract our knowledge all of the time. I hope to see further and more extensive research in the realm of fertility as time goes on. I will always continue and expand my own knowledge about fertility in the meantime.
Here are some things that I have taken away from fertility research- including the Paulus protocol-
Acupuncture can improve blood flow to the uterus and reproductive organs.
I would advise no greater than 24 hours before a transfer, coming in and receiving a treatment
I would also advise no greater than 48 hours post transfer, coming in and receiving another treatment.
This would look something like, the transfer is scheduled for 11AM on Tuesday. Come in sometime on Monday for a treatment. Then return for a post transfer treatment on Wednesday or Tuesday afternoon.
Acupuncture can be a great support system. I offer a pre and post transfer appointment on my website. They are both 30 minutes in length and designed for quick application of important acupuncture points that support implantation! Reach out and book those appointments with me here.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. All information, content and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment.
