Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy?

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Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy?

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- Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy?
- Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Vol. 17, Issue 5, Pages: 386-395(2011)
- Affiliations：
  
  1. Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan,China
  2. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund,Germany
  3. Infertility Center of Dortmund, Dortmund,Germany
- Author bio：
- Funds：
  
  Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 30600838)
- DOI：10.1007/s11655-011-0611-8
  CLC：
- Published：2011，
  
  Published Online：25 May 2011，
Scan for full text
Huang, Dm., Huang, Gy., Lu, Fe. et al. Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy?., Chin. J. Integr. Med. 17, 386 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-011-0611-8

Dong-mei Huang, Guang-ying Huang, Fu-er Lu, et al. Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy?. [J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 17(5):386-395(2011)
Huang, Dm., Huang, Gy., Lu, Fe. et al. Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy?., Chin. J. Integr. Med. 17, 386 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-011-0611-8 DOI：

Dong-mei Huang, Guang-ying Huang, Fu-er Lu, et al. Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy?. [J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 17(5):386-395(2011) DOI： 10.1007/s11655-011-0611-8.

摘要

Acupuncture has been used to treat infertility extensively

including ovulatory dysfunction

in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)

and male infertility. This review summarizes the recent studies which investigated the role of acupuncture in infertility. In conclusion

most of the existing studies suggest a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility treatment. Firstly

acupuncture may improve ovulation by modulating the central and peripheral nervous systems

the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems

the ovarian blood flow

and metabolism. Secondly

acupuncture can improve the outcome of IVF-ET

and the mechanisms may be related to the increased uterine blood flow

inhibited uterine motility

and the anesis of depression

anxiety and stress. Its effect on modulating immune function also suggests helpfulness in improving the outcome of IVF-ET. Finally

the studies suggest that acupuncture plays a positive role in male infertility

the mechanism of which is not yet clear. Even though a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility has been found

well-designed multi-center

prospective randomized controlled studies are still needed to provide more reliable and valid scientific evidence. Furthermore

it is urgent and necessary to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture for infertility.

Abstract

Acupuncture has been used to treat infertility extensively

including ovulatory dysfunction

in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)

and male infertility. This review summarizes the recent studies which investigated the role of acupuncture in infertility. In conclusion

most of the existing studies suggest a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility treatment. Firstly

acupuncture may improve ovulation by modulating the central and peripheral nervous systems

the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems

the ovarian blood flow

and metabolism. Secondly

acupuncture can improve the outcome of IVF-ET

and the mechanisms may be related to the increased uterine blood flow

inhibited uterine motility

and the anesis of depression

anxiety and stress. Its effect on modulating immune function also suggests helpfulness in improving the outcome of IVF-ET. Finally

the studies suggest that acupuncture plays a positive role in male infertility

the mechanism of which is not yet clear. Even though a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility has been found

well-designed multi-center

prospective randomized controlled studies are still needed to provide more reliable and valid scientific evidence. Furthermore

it is urgent and necessary to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture for infertility.

关键词

acupunctureovulationin vitro fertilization and embryo transferInfertility

Keywords

acupunctureovulationin vitro fertilization and embryo transferInfertility

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Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences (IBS), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases

The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University

Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University

The First Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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