Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

[Catlover89]

hi all,

I just wondered if anyone has ever taken Chinese herbal medicine alongside ivf medication?

I had acupuncture today for the first time and the lady also specialises in Chinese herbal medicine and has had training in infertility. She said she works with a lot of patients from my clinic.

she recommended I take a weeks dose of herbal meds that will help improve blood circulation and as I’m due on my period, she said it’ll help clear the uterus completely as I have been prone to clots.

she has got 40yra of experience, I guess I’m just a bit wary of taking something as I’m also about to start meds any day now for another FET. I’m at the point where I’m willing to try anything, but I also don’t want to do anything that might interact and affect the efficacy of the meds, although she said it’s safe to take alongside my meds. Anyone else tried traditional Chinese medicine with ivf meds and have any advice? I’ll probably ask my clinic too but just thought I’d see on here also.

Thanks all, sending you all love xx

[ChrisHor]

Hello! I have done a full 3 months of Chinese meds, herbal tea and acupuncture prior to ifv. It helped a lot, results were better. I told my clinic about it and they said I need to stop before ivf as it can mess up or counteract with the ifv hormone meds, as Chinese stuff also influence hormones. So defo check with your clinic. Acupuncture could continue, loads of research out there now that it is proven to have benefits during ifv ! Good luck, hope it goes well !

[Amy2106]

Hello,

I am with Care Fertility and they have added on the bottom of all my protocols to avoid Chinese medicines. They haven’t said anything against acupuncture and I am doing it this cycle. So I woke definitely check with your clinic before starting. Hope that helps!

[Endofitall]

my clinic have a note saying to avoid Chinese herbal medicines during IVF so I’ve avoided it. I do acupuncture though.

[Novbby]

I didn’t end up doing it alongside meds but I did do it in preparation for IVF. Took these tiny pills and had acupuncture and cupping. Like you I was scared it would interfere with the medications so decided against it. Go with your gut feeling.

[Catlover89]

thanks all for your comments. I decided not to take the tablets and just continue with the acupuncture! Can’t be dealing with anymore anxiety by taking them lol xx