I am debating whether to have acupuncture in preparation of our 2nd icsi round.
It is very expensive, so something I need to be sure of.
I wondered if anybody has had any experience with it? Has it improved an IVF outcome at all?
We have a male related fertility issue, but I'm trying to do whatever I can to improve egg quality for next time.
I have been in touch with a company local to me the lady seemed very positive about acupuncture and fertility, even though it's not me with the problem.
I would love your opinions?....
Thanks xx
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Italy300618
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Hi hunny I only tried acupuncture for a couple of months but gave it up based on cost as my cycle got put off for 12 months and I just couldn’t justify that cost for another 12 months. To be honest my acupuncturist was as mad as a box of frogs so it wasn’t particularly relaxing 🤣🤣 if there was some really firm evidence that it worked then I may try it again, but personally I’d rather spend that money going for meals or spending quality time with my other half whilst we’re actually going through the cycle. As you know it’s such a stressful time I’d rather spend my time doing nice things with the boy as this process can sometimes make you forget that it was just the two of you at the beginning and that that’s actually still ok if this hell we all go through doesn’t work out😘😘😘x x x
Thanks for your reply, yes I can very much relate to what you're saying. like you say the huge outlay of cost and you could perhaps better spend it on being relaxed in other ways. Thanks lovely xx
I’ve had 3 sessions. I have felt some changes but I am a huge cynic so in reality I think it is just recover after my laparoscopy. It’s relaxing though so I’ll keep going for a few more cycles. I didn’t try it around my IVF cycle. It isn’t cheap though and there are a lot of good ideas from Phillipsjp that I agree with 😁 best of luck xxx
Thanks kitscat, I think the relaxing element is obviously a very positive thing, especially in this process! I'm also not overly keen on needles which may say it all 🙈 xx
My acupuncturist only treats ladies for fertility issues and so is VERY well informed and is really good to be able to talk things through with - usually stuff that you wouldn't bother calling your clinic about.
It also makes me feel like I'm doing something positive and it forces me to take time to relax and focus. I've also started having reflexology to help with the relaxation. Both reflexology and acupuncture work with the energy meridians and so it's good to have a boost!
I've also learnt Reiki and so give myself treatments pre and post ET.
I don't know how it all works, I just know that somehow it does make a difference.
I just feel so blessed to have 2 such knowledgable and positive women in my corner
Give it a go and see how you get on. You shouldn't have to sign-up to a course of appointments.
Thank you for your positive advice, I think I will give it a go..I might not like it. I want to feel like I'm doing something positive and if it can reduce stress levels at the same time and be a form of relaxation then that's a bonus, thank you xx
Hi lovely, I've found acupuncture to be really positive and helpful. It is proven to help ivf cycles (see books by zita west and emma cannon) but only do it if you're open to it. Everyone is different, why not give it a try and see how it goes? I always feel really relaxed and so much more positive afterwards. Its helped bring my period on when it wouldn't appear and feel less anxious, stressed, and more calm etc. Go to an accredited acupuncturist and remember it all depends on how you click with the individual. Good luck. Xx
Thanks Kat, glad to hear that it has helped you. I think I will try it, I'll never know if I dont try. I really appreciate your reply, I'm finding dealing with our failed cycle quite stressful and emotional so I need to try and relax more for next time xx
Hi there, I had weekly acupuncture in the lead up to my second icsi cycle, which resulted in a BFP and my little girl. I didn’t do it on my first cycle which was a BFN. Personally I never really found it relaxing nor uncomfortable either - just enjoyed the time laid up doing nothing!
I had researched the benefits and found a local clinic who specialised in fertility. Although expensive, against the cost of IVF I thought it’s worth a go.
I also continued with it through my pregnancy as advised- not as often and no needles in my belly 🙈 I had a very straight forward pregnancy, no sickness etc. Whether or not the acupuncture helped with this or getting pregnant who knows - but something worked and personally id do it again.
Wow congratulations that is so fantastic! Really glad to hear you had a positive outcome 💗 I think I've got to give it a go, this is our last go on nhs and I am willing to do anything for it to hopefully work, so the the outlay on this really isn't much in comparison of paying for another round privately! I think in my mind i will feel like I'm doing something positive, thanks again xx
Hi, I had accupucture before our 2nd round of ICSI (male factor too). I had it weekly for about 4 months beforehand and our treatment was successful that cycle.
I felt that it calmed me down more than anything & I always slept amazingly afterwards.
What I wasnt prepared for was the rush of emotions after my first appointment- went home & cried my eyes out. Apparently that's normal- I didnt know that!
If we go for another round both hubby & I are in agreement that I would get it again.
Good luck with what you decide & if you've any questions just ask! Xx
Thanks so much for your reply, so pleased you were successful that's fantastic ☺ it really helps to hear positive stories too. I think I will give it a go, more so for destressing and relaxation more than anything, but if it can help towards a successful cycle...I'll try anything 😫 xx
At the time we thought we were dealing with unexplained infertility and the acupuncturist picked up things like kidney function and how it links to fertility. She also kept going on about diet and at every session asked if my husband had been tested (he has, everything is normal) which started to annoy me after the second and third time of asking.
After a few more hospital appointments I was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve so decided the acupuncturist didn’t know what she was on about and I was wasting my money.
I think for some people it might help relax you but I don’t know if it actually helps with infertility and IVF. Xx
I started accupuncture with a view to help with relaxation. My acupuncturist has tailored treatment based on where I am in my cycle e.g. to help start my period and to help develop lining. You can never 100% say if it helps. On my day of transfer(which was only recently) I saw her before and after transfer and she used the Paulus protocol (if you google this you will find some research that was carried out and suggests that accupuncture in this way increased the chances of conception). Some places like zita west offer accupuncture on site but most places don't. It was a bit tiring going between accupuncture appointment on the day of transfer as I was doing a lot of going back and forth. I can say it has helped getting my periods started. She is also a great listener and primarily focuses on fertility.
Hi, I have been having acupuncture for a while now. I agree about it being so expensive, however, I have joined a health care scheme and pay around £40 a month, which gives me an allowance to claim back the cost. The one I'm with is called Medicash. I'm unsure if everyone can join, as I work for the government, but it may be worth investigating others. I even managed to claim my initial ivf private consultation fee.
My acupuncture therapist is amazing, and always takes the time to catch up with me and discuss any worries.
I went to an acupuncturist who specialises in fertility acupuncture and I found it to be fantastic. It sorted out my cycle following 2 repeat early mc prior to my frozen cycle and I continued right up until frozen embryo transfer. Not saying that acupuncture was a miracle cure but I did get my BFP with the frozen cycle and am now 29w pregnant. So I’m a convert and highly recommend it! Each session was £45, it is very expensive but given that I was already shelling out privately for IVF after not being eligible for nhs funding I thought ‘what the heck’ and gave it a go 😊
Hi there, thanks for your reply, wow congratulations to you, that is so lovely. So nice to hear a positive outcome. I am going to give it a go, and see what I think, thanks again xx
Good luck! I don’t know what area you live in but do a bit of research first around acupuncturists who specialise in fertility. I went with an acupuncturist who worked under Zita West and she was amazing, so knowledgable about iVF and the journeys we go through 😊
I started acupuncture after my first miscarriage last year, a friend bought me a few sessions. I am very cynical about things like this but was feeling awful at the time so though why not?! I am so pleased I did go as I find it an immense help.
Unfortunately I've since had two more miscarriages in the last year. But going for acupuncture has helped my recovery (physical and especially emotional) each time. I go once a month now around ovulation. Being able to talk though things each month really helps, it acts as a mini counselling session too! It has also helped other things like my bad back etc.
I am about to start IVF so she has advised I go when stimms start then before egg collection and one after transfer!
Hi Bluebirds, thank you for your reply. So sorry to hear about your miscarriages, that is truly awful. I am glad it helped in more ways than one, I guess having a sensitive ear always helps too. I am going to give it a go and see what I make of it, thanks again, good luck to you too xx
Hi 👋 you will probably get such a mixed bag of responses to this question. I was in similar situation to you. First round failed and I wanted to increase egg quality just to give us an extra boost. My first round I just took the meds as instructed. The second round I did all the internet recommendations including acupuncture, eating pineapple core, drinking pomegranate juice, time off work,
Ivf meditation apps. but in addition I was on different meds second time round so I can’t say what contributed to our success the most. What I can say is, because I knew I was trying everything in my power I felt a lot more relaxed second time round (which also may have helped!). Good luck whatever you decide xx
Thank you for your reply, really appreciate it. I think thats it..doing everything in your power to try and make this work! Im going to give it a go and see what I think thanks again xx
I did acupuncture for my last ICSI cycle but there is no evidence it works. Also afterwards the woman said she was treating me for infertility when right from the start I had explained I was doing ICSI due to MFI. So I was really annoyed I spent hundreds of pounds for her to misunderstand entirely. I think she did not understand English well enough to know what I was talking about but instead of asking questions she acted like she knew what she was doing
Aww what a shame you had that experience when you were clear from the start. I will make sure I go through everything in detail, thanks for your reply x
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