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Saturday 30 August

 


Acupuncture 'boosts IVF pregnancy'

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Acupuncture could increase the chances of a woman becoming pregnancy after IVF treatment by at least half.

A Dutch and US study analysing over 1,300 women has revealed that for every 10 IVF cycles, there would be one extra pregnancy.

The study has not showed exactly how acupuncture affects fertility, however experts believe the therapy could relax patients undergoing IVF treatment, which can be extremely traumatic.

However, one alternative medicine expert has spoken out saying he is unconvinced by the study's results. Professor Edzart Ernst said: 'On the face of it, these results sound fantastic. I would, however, be very cautious as much of the observed effect could be due to a placebo response.

'IVF may not seem to be 'placebo-prone' but it probably is: if women expect it to be helpful they are more relaxed which, in turn, would affect pregnancy rates.'

One in seven couples in Britain will experience difficulty conceiving and the average cost of one cycle of IVF is approximately £4,000, including drugs.

In China acupuncture has been employed for centuries to regulate female fertility, and more recently, scientists have been investigating whether it could boost IVF results.

Many of the new studies were conducted in China where the pregnancy rate is lower than the average European clinic, casting doubt on the same success rates in Europe.

Friday 8 February 2008


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