What The Research Says
A 2009 study examined the outcomes of IVF cycles for 800 women and found that the chance of success was related to chronic stress levels. They concluded that chronic stress levels may have a negative effect on follicle development in an IVF cycle.
Decreased Stress = Increased IVF Success
Stress has a huge impact on our overall health, including reproductive function. This study demonstrates the importance of stress reduction during the extremely stressful IVF process.
It is important to take care of not only your physical health during the IVF process but also your mental health. Focus on incorporating stress relief into every day. Things to try include deep breathing, exercise, meditation, yoga, reading, and acupuncture.
How Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture has a powerful effect on many areas of the body. One of the most noticeable effects many patients experience is increased relaxation, often immediately while receiving treatment. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce stress hormones and this helps to explain one of the mechanism behind acupuncture’s benefits for IVF patients.
If you’re going through the IVF process, consider adding in acupuncture to optimize your chances of conceiving.
Find the research here.
