Study: Unexplained Infertility Treated with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

In 2010, there was a study done in Korea on a cross section of women who had been diagnosed with ‘unexplained infertility’. The modalities that were used were acupuncture, herbal medicine and moxibustion. The study was carried out over the course of six months and the findings were that the group who received this treatment had a pregnancy rate of 60.9%.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918430/

Many patients come in for acupuncture while they are going through ‘ART’ (assisted reproductive techniques), and they usually find out about the benefits of acupuncture because they are referred by their doctor or nurse. Although acupuncture at this time will still be beneficial, it may not be the most optimal use of this modality as it would be if it were pursued several months before ART.

From the findings of the study, it might be more beneficial to come in for treatment up to six months before beginning ART in the cases of unexplained infertility.