For those of you who have had acupuncture.. did it have a positive effect on increasing the number of eggs you had retrieved and the quality of blasts?
I have had it previously but it made no impact what so ever. I also didn’t particularly enjoy it but I think this was partly due to the fact I didn’t like the acupuncturist. The room was really cold and clinical and I couldn’t relax.
We are starting our last OE/OS cycle end of March before moving to DE and I want to try and do everything I can to optimise our chances of getting more embryos to send for pgta.
I’ve got a good protocol from my clinic and usually get between 14 and 16 eggs.. the quality just isn’t there. I don’t know whether to give it one last shot or not with a new acupuncturist? xxx
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I felt the same about acupuncture and I actually had a better egg yield after I'd stopped having it! I'm not sure it directly affected the results, but it definitely didn't make them any better.
You're better off taking ubiquinol and NAC daily to boost egg quality
I already take a whole host of egg boosting supplements including high dose ubiquinol, NAD, NAC etc xx
Maybe i’m better spending my money on reflexology. Doesn’t do anything for egg quality but it’s relaxing and I enjoy having it so I suppose that’s a bonus xx
I know we will never know what makes a difference but we went through countless rounds with no healthy embryos and the cycle I had my fertility reflexology we ended up with 8 healthy embryos. As you say it's relaxing if nothing else! Good luck x
I wondered if you'd considered DHEA, if it's suitable for you, I think it really helped me increase the quantity and quality of blastocysts (like you I tended to get a good number of eggs, the difficulty was poor embryo development).
I respond really well to stims. I’m 40 and my AFC is 16. I get between 14 and 16 eggs it’s just the quality x
I asked him about DHEA and he said no. I asked him about omnitrope and he said no. He just prefers high dose ubiquinol which I take anyway! So glad it worked for you though xxxx
I had accupuncture through my 2nd cycle - personally I found it relaxing but my outcome was still pretty pants so not sure it changed anything either
I’m due to start round 3 soon hopefully and decided not to do accupuncture again as it was so expensive and feeling like I’m spending half my life driving to appointments
Unfortunately I think the more I am on this horrible ‘journey’ I feel that we have less control over the outcome - can completely relate to wanting to do everything possible but think you’ve got to do whatever you feel best doing or not doing.
Thank you so much I follow Tim on instagram so i’ll have a look at that link you sent x
I did see a post on embryomans IG and there was a small study showing success with FETs.
It is so expensive and we already spend so much on treatment, supplements etc xx I honestly agree with you.. I think everything we do is nonsense and it’s all just down to luck xxx
same for me as most of the people below - no real signs of acupuncture helping me either, and like you… I wasn’t a big fan of it either! I’m going to try reflexology too for relaxation before my 3rd egg collection in March 🤞🤞 rooting for us both! X
Thank you so much xx I think i’ll have it before and after transfer but won’t waste my money on paying for multiple sessions leading up to retrieval xx
I don’t think it’s made any difference to my fertility or IVF. But it does help me relax and I used to grind and clench my teeth at night and I don’t when I have acupuncture.
But egg counts/response to stims/lining - zilch difference xx
Amazing x thank you so much! That settles it then.. i’ll give it a miss xx May have it after transfer based on the recent study on the embryoman website xx
I've only had one egg collection so can't comment if it helps with yield, but my only successful transfers were when I had accupuncture alongside. No idea if that was just a coincidence or not but my experience with it was very different to yours. I found it super relaxing and could feel myself de-stress with it, which i think is the main aim. I found it most beneficial in the ttw, but I have also had reflexology which is amazing! I'd say go for the option you find most relaxing and enjoy! There is little enjoyment in this whole process so get some little treats where you can!
I didn’t have it before egg collection, but I started having a few sessions before my 3rd FET. I’d never had it before, and my first experience I didn’t enjoy it either for similar reasons! Not relaxing at all, however I found another place and it was a much nicer experience and it did help me relax pre and post transfer. I had a BFP for the first time. I can’t say if that did it but it might have helped in some way. Iv also had reflexology pre and post a prior FET, both are meant to help you relax and I enjoyed it. I got a negative result so that’s why i tried acupuncture for my next try as it was something I hadn’t tried. I did have poor circulation so this is another reason I gave acupuncture a go as it’s meant to good for this. All the best with your next try xx
it can’t help with egg quality - that’s the one thing no one can change.
I find my acupuncture helps with my PMS and emotional health so helps me cope but I have a fertility focused acupuncturist. She is near me, has a cosy treatment room in her garden and gets the whole infertility world - so I find it another support. If I didn’t enjoy it I wouldn’t force myself back.
It is expensive though. Between that and counselling (never mind ivf cycles!) it’s costing so much but got to look after ourselves.
Take care and go with what feels right for you. I hope this next cycle goes well for you.
Ahh ok that’s interesting you say that because I researched before having it a few years ago and there are a number of articles that say it increases the blood flow around the ovaries, which improves their ability to support healthy eggs, improving both the quality and quantity of eggs.
I can’t remember the actual specifics of the articles I read but my job involves research so I know there are a lot of variables to consider.. sample size etc xx
Obviously it didn’t do anything for me.. or for most of the ladies that have responded xx
It’s very expensive I agree. Between that, actually paying for treatment and spending over £200 a month on vitamins I feel like I live in work to pay for it all xxx I think i’ll just give it another go with a new practitioner. I’ve seen her clinic and it’s cosy and warm.. not cold and clinical like the last place!
I have only started Acupuncture for my next Transfer. Hopefully it will be successful for me. Didn't even consider it for Egg Retrieval,kicking myself now
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