Alternative Treatments

[AnotherLaura]

Dear All,

I would like to discuss any alternative treatments anyone has tried, how they feel about it, pros and cons.

Many of us have tried the scientifically proven big treatments;

ICI,

IVF,

ICSI

- including supplementary 'add on' services, i.e., endometrial scratch, egg hatching and embryo glue.

Lessor known holistic/unapproved therapies:

Acupuncture,

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), (gaining traction in the medical field)

LLLT (Low-Level Laser Therapy), (gaining traction in the medical field)

Ozone Therapy

Reflexology

I would certainly be interested in hearing about alternative treatments and experiences, especially if it's something that we think applies to our personal situation. My research on this topic through Google has not been as transparent as I would have hoped. The information was not there, it's only when you find other people's comments that you see these other treatments.

If it's OK, I would like to edit this post to add your treatments for reference. Your contributions are invaluable and greatly appreciated, who knows, one of these treatments might be the right one for us,

I am sending you all love and light on your journeys.

#IVF #ICI #ICSI #LLLT #PRP #Acupuncture #alternativetreatments

[Keepondreaming]

Hi I tried acupuncture and reflexology. Unfortunately this gave us the worst result we ever had possibly, so I don’t feel they were beneficial. However the reflexology was relaxing. I can’t say the result was down to the reflexology or the acupuncture specifically as it could just be coincidence, the clinic told me that there is no research behind either of these treatments - I noticed some ivf clinics off acupuncture as part of their services. Be interested to see if anyone has other stories or treatments. Wishing u luck xx

[AnotherLaura in reply to Keepondreaming]

Your initial post triggered this query; why aren't we able to see more info? The fertility sector seems to be very well-guarded. I'll look up the stats for reflexology. I'm sorry to hear it didn't go well my dear My clinicians said some months you produce more than others and they don't know what causes it, makes it difficult when having treatments as they're so hard to assess successful factors. Thank you for writing and I wish you luck too xx

[Keepondreaming in reply to AnotherLaura]

Aww thank you!! I’m interested in the responses as I will literally try anything. I take a whole range of supplements. I was advised no processed food, no refined sugar and no preservative diet and increase anti oxidants which is extremely hard but I stuck to it rigidly and that was the best result we ever had in terms of egg collection and embryos but unfortunately resulted in a bfn. I do wonder if sometimes I wasn’t eating enough nutrients as I was so strict! X

[Doodlebug23]

I started reflexology with someone trained in fertility reflexology after my 5th failed transfer and my 7th transfer was successful.

[AnotherLaura in reply to Doodlebug23]

Hello Doodlebug, I have added reflexology to the treatments list. I'm pleased to hear the 7th was good ❤️ I wish you all the best in your life with the little one. Thank you for your contribution x

[Doodlebug23 in reply to AnotherLaura]

Thankyou. And I hope it’s useful x

[Vix12345]

Hey, I've had 5 transfers from my first cycle. The results were; negative, chemical, chemical, miscarriage at 9 weeks, negative. On the 5th transfer I did acupuncture immediately before and after transfer as this was a package my clinic offered. I know people rave about it, but I didn't enjoy it, it didn't hurt and was quite intriguing, but I was laying there freezing cold and shivering for 45 minutes before and after transfer, you can't put a blanket over you because of the needles, I bled quite a bit as was also on blood thinners, and it made me quite anxious. That round had a BFN.

We are looking to start our second cycle soon and I've been having reflexology every few weeks, and I've also been taking a lot of supplements, lost a little weight and just trying to improve my overall health, so hopefully we will have some success this time around. With the reflexology, I can't say whether or not it will help, but it is definitely a lovely relaxing experience and I feel so calm and floaty after having it done, not like how I personally found acupuncture. Good luck

[AnotherLaura]

Hello Vix, Thank you so much for your comment. That's interesting about the acupuncture. You're the 2nd person on this thread who has had a negative experience from this treatment. If I get enough time I'll make a chart and start collecting data.

I'm deffo going to try the reflexology.

All the very best to you on your next round. xx

[Kittykat198]

I also didn’t find acupuncture helpful. It was boring and a bit stingy!

I asked our clinic about embryo glue and was told they wouldn’t recommend the extra cost.

My friend who was at the same clinic had an endometrial scratch as part of a trial and that worked for her after previous failures.

[AnotherLaura in reply to Kittykat198]

Isn't it strange the things that do and don't work for us. Thank you for contributing to my post, I suppose the endometrial glue may mostly benefit those with lining issues. I'll agree with the stingy... All the very best on your journey Kitty! x

[Rjfguitfg]

I’m the outlier here. I have done acupuncture in the past (non fertility related) and responded really well. I had two transfers that failed without it. Then I did acupuncture for one month leading up to the third transfer and right before and the day after transfer. It’s not the only reason but the transfer worked and I’m 12 weeks. For me, it really really depends on the acupuncturist and their skill level. I’ve seen ones in the past who have done more damage than good. The acupuncturist I saw before my third transfer is the best I’ve ever seen. And I always felt good after treatment, never worse.

[AnotherLaura in reply to Rjfguitfg]

Thank you very much for your contribution Rjfguitfg . I'm so pleased for you! Do you think there were any other factors that may have influenced this outcome. I am playing devils advocate here and trying to get as much data as possible. Sending prosperity your way hun! x

[Rjfguitfg in reply to AnotherLaura]

Oh definitely there were a whole host of other factors. The biggest being the first two transfers were fully medicated and I felt awful on all the meds. The third transfer that worked was a modified natural where I actually ovulated. I felt massively better not being on all the extra hormones. My re said some women just need the extra things that ovulation and having a corpus luteum can provide. I also started going on almost daily jogs a month and a half before the third transfer and lastly I really tried to reduce my stress levels. So definitely not just acupuncture. But I will say, I went to acupuncture right before the transfer and my re remarked that my transfer went super smoothly and it was the easiest one she had done in weeks. Acupuncture right before a transfer is supposed to open and soften the cervix and make it receptive for an embryo. Who knows exactly what it did but it’s an interesting anecdote.

[AnotherLaura in reply to Rjfguitfg]

Fascinating! This is really good to know. There's a lot to be said for exercise too, our bodies often tell us what we need to do. I appreciate these nuggets of information, and hopefully others too, thanks again! x

[Rjfguitfg in reply to AnotherLaura]

Definitely! Moving my body more really helped me feel more in tune with myself. I was a little out of touch with my body given a 5 month loss a year a couple years ago and then the whole ivf process itself. Movement is underrated.

[AnotherLaura in reply to Rjfguitfg]

omg, bless you hun, what a horrendous time. Goes to show your resilience and perseverance triumphs. Biggest love to you x

[Rjfguitfg in reply to AnotherLaura]

And same to you. Wishing you the very best!!

[Axel131]

Hi Laura, so I did LLLT for my last cycle at age 45 and I had the best cycle in terms of blastocysts as in I got 4 good quality blasts, now I will add that 2 I transferred didn't end in pregnancy and the other two probably won't as they are aneuploid but I do feel it helps and I intend to do it for my next cycle.

[Keepondreaming in reply to Axel131]

Hi what is LLLT please?

[Axel131 in reply to Keepondreaming]

It's low level laser therapy. Physios normally have it in their practice for reducing inflammation and helping wounds heal. The theory is that it increases circulation and could give more energy to the eggs when applied over the ovaries

[AnotherLaura in reply to Axel131]

Thank you for your contribution Axel, I will eventually make a table/chart out of these comments. I wish you all the very best on your journey x

[Axel131 in reply to AnotherLaura]

Thanks Laura, I think it will be a great compilation of information, great idea and I would be interested to see it xx

[Darcy1996]

hello, I’ve had wonderful experiences with 5 elements acupuncture. It’s more dynamic than traditional acupuncture, moving around the body to listen and treat the different areas in a more reactive way. Obv I can’t say it’s helped me get pregnant as I’m not yet, but from an AMH of 9.7 in Feb, and AFC of 9, we had 17 eggs last round. I feel like it’s helped my resilience, my stress levels, IBS symptoms and crucially as we all know, my inflammation too 💜

[AnotherLaura in reply to Darcy1996]

Thank you for your contribution Darcy, I'm pleased to see this is helping you in more ways than one. There has been a lot of positive feedback about acupuncture. I haven't heard of the 5 elements one but will look into that. All the best on your journey hun! x

[Darcy1996 in reply to AnotherLaura]

and to you on yours x