Acupuncture Paulus Protocol for Fertility and IVF

Paulus Protocol increase the chances of pregnancy having acupuncture 3 to 6 months prior to IVF

Acupuncture is the most commonly used treatment alongside IVF and has been integrated into many fertility clinics. Ideally the patient would start having acupuncture prior to IVF (3 to 6 months) to regulate the menstrual cycle and treat any particular problems, thus increasing the chances of pregnancy. Acupuncture supports women throughout the whole IVF protocol, including embryo transfer.

A German study in 2002 conducted by Paulus et al, found that acupuncture given before and after embryo transfer increased pregnancy rate from 26.3 to 42.5 %. The study took 160 patients who were undergoing IVF and who had good quality embryos. They were divided into two groups through random selection. The results were quite impressive. Clinical pregnancies were documented in 34 of 80 patients (42.5 %) in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate was only 21 out of 80 (26.3 %) in the control group.

The interest generated by this led to more research with even better results. More recently the British Medical Journal analysed all available data and invested in a much larger study involving 1366 patients, which also found that acupuncture significantly increases the rate of successful embryo implantation.

The Paulus Protocol acupuncture points used in the study were carefully chosen to enhance blood flow to the uterus, remove any areas that have blockages due to tension and otherwise relax the whole system.

In the acupuncture group, acupoints needled before the transfer were:

• Baihui GV-20

• Guilai ST-29

• Diji SP-8

• Neiguan PC-6

• Taichong LV-3

• Qihai CV-6

• Shenmen, and Brain in one ear; and

• Uterus and Endocrine in the other ear.

Acupoints needled after the transfer were as follows:

• Hegu LI-4

• Xuehai SP-10

• Suzanli ST-36

• Sanyinjiao SP-6

• Taixi KI-3

• With the ear points applied on the ear opposite as to what was needled in the pre-ET treatment.

Needles were retained for 25 minutes for each treatment. Points were needled in the following order: ears first, then abdomen, upper limbs, followed by the lower limbs. Body points were stimulated with a mild lifting and thrusting technique until the patient reported some sensation at the point, or a very mild de qi sensation,29 and restimulated after 10 minutes.

Acupuncture Paulus Protocol supports the IVF process by:

• Regulating hormones that affect the cycle

• Improving the quality of the eggs

• Increasing the thickness of the endometrium by encouraging

• Blood flow to the uterus

• Modulating cytokines and immune response

• Helping with side-effects from the IVF drugs

• Reliving the stress.

If the implantation is successful acupuncture also helps with the prevention of miscarriage and issues associated with pregnancy.

Source: Paulus WE. Zhang M. Strehler E, et al. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002;77:721–724. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(01)03273-3.

Keywords: #acupuncure #IVF #pregnancy #fertility