Author(s)

Naseem M. Khorram, Susan Horton, Vicken Sahakian, Richard Chacon, Omid Khorram

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, USA.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pacific Fertility Center, Westwood, USA.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of acupuncture treatment as an adjunctive therapy on the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Material/Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 238 patients who underwent conventional IVF/ ICSI alone or in conjunction with acupuncture over a course of 2 years. Patients in the two treatment groups were matched in terms of age and diagnosis. Acupuncture was administered in two sessions 5 to 7 days prior to and on the day of embryo transfer. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of fertilization rate, pregnancy or implantation rates, and endometrial thickness. The number of oocytes retrieved (P < 0.005) and the number of first trimester miscarriages were significantly lower in the group receiving acupuncture (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Acupuncture reduces miscar-riage rates in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI possibly secondary to stress relief.

Acupuncture; IVF/ICSI; Pregnancy Rates; Implantation Rate; Miscarriage

Khorram, N. , Horton, S. , Sahakian, V. , Chacon, R. and Khorram, O. (2012) Adjuvant acupuncture reduces first trimester pregnancy loss after IVF. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2, 283-286. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2012.23059.