Dan Jiang1, Lily Li2, Simei Wan3, Fanyi Meng4. 1. Hallam Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and Asante Academy of TCM London, United Kingdom; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. 2. Imperial College Healthcare, National Health S, Trust, London, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Medical History, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China; Lincoln College, Lincoln, United Kingdom. (visiting scholar; 2019; sponsored by Anhui University of TCM; Fund No: gxgwfx2018039). 4. Lincoln College, Lincoln, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is the routine treatment for infertility. The success rate for individual sessions is generally not high, and many patients need to undergo several cycles. To increase their chances of success, many patients turn to acupuncture to complement ART. Many clinical trials of acupuncture helping in vitro fertilization (IVF) have focused only on IVF-embryo transfer (ET). In some difficult cases, when even IVF cannot be offered, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can improve the patients' conditions to reach a level at which ART can be successful. Cases: Six cases showed how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using Chinese herbs, can make IVF possible in difficult cases and how they can also help prevent miscarriage afterward. The cases included patients with amenorrhea, sperm disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), tubal blockage, premenopause, and premature ovarian insufficiency. Results: Acupuncture and Chinese herbs worked together to help make ART possible or easier. The ART used for these patients included intrauterine insemination, IVF, IVF with a donor egg, and introcytoplasmic sperm injection. In 3 cases, IVF was not initially successful but was successful after TCM treatment. Conclusions: These 6 cases demonstrated the positive effect of a combined approach, using acupuncture and herbs to reduce DOR and regulate hormonal disorders, creating sustainable environments for conceiving and maintaining pregnancy, thus, translating into clinical success. Clinical observation of these cases sheds new light on designing future clinical trials and practice of TCM for practitioners who provide infertility treatments. Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is the routine treatment for infertility. The success rate for individual sessions is generally not high, and many patients need to undergo several cycles. To increase their chances of success, many patients turn to acupuncture to complement ART. Many clinical trials of acupuncture helping in vitro fertilization (IVF) have focused only on IVF-embryo transfer (ET). In some difficult cases, when even IVF cannot be offered, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can improve the patients' conditions to reach a level at which ART can be successful. Cases: Six cases showed how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using Chinese herbs, can make IVF possible in difficult cases and how they can also help prevent miscarriage afterward. The cases included patients with amenorrhea, sperm disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), tubal blockage, premenopause, and premature ovarian insufficiency. Results: Acupuncture and Chinese herbs worked together to help make ART possible or easier. The ART used for these patients included intrauterine insemination, IVF, IVF with a donor egg, and introcytoplasmic sperm injection. In 3 cases, IVF was not initially successful but was successful after TCM treatment. Conclusions: These 6 cases demonstrated the positive effect of a combined approach, using acupuncture and herbs to reduce DOR and regulate hormonal disorders, creating sustainable environments for conceiving and maintaining pregnancy, thus, translating into clinical success. Clinical observation of these cases sheds new light on designing future clinical trials and practice of TCM for practitioners who provide infertility treatments. Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Entities:
Keywords:
ART; Chinese herb; IVF; acupuncture; case study; infertility
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