Acupuncture and Fertility

[chaggle]

From the Express

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...ing-for-a-baby

New guidelines from the British Fertility Society, which represents fertility clinics, said there was “no evidence” that either acupuncture or traditional Chinese herbal remedies could improve the success rate of In-Vitro Fertilisation.

Also:

The announcement will anger many couples who have spent thousands of pounds on complementary therapy alongside fertility treatment after studies suggested it could help. Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine in which fine needles are inserted under the skin to alter the flow of energy.

I think this is right. They will be angered by the announcement - not by the fact that they have been misled by the practitioners.

[polomint38]

Pregnancy often does result following the insertion of a little prick, but not acupuncture.

I am sorry for the "carry on" nature of this "joke"

[skbuncks]

I think this is right. They will be angered by the announcement - not by the fact that they have been misled by the practitioners.

But it might just get them to question why they believed it would work in the first place.

The BFS press release is here. (The full paper is behind a paywall)

Pregnancy often does result following the insertion of a little prick, but not acupuncture.

I am sorry for the "carry on" nature of this "joke"

Damn you polomint for getting in there first. I was sure I could work a joke out of 'bunch of pricks'

skb

ETA:

But last night, the British Acupuncture Council said it was “surprised” at the findings. A spokesman said: “There has been significant research which has found that acupuncture treatment can aid the conception process. “Fertility-focused acupuncture treatment has been found to help increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, balance hormone levels, regulate the menstrual cycle and improve the lining of the uterus and quality of eggs released.”
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Then put up or shut up.

[asthmatic camel]

Um, would it be physically possible to "improve the quality of eggs released"? Do they get extra Chi or something?

[skbuncks]

I don't really know anything about IVF and the like so I would like to know how measurable outcomes such as these are:

increase blood flow to the reproductive organs
balance hormone levels
regulate the menstrual cycle
improved the lining of the uterus
(improved) quality of eggs released

...and if there is any evidence as too how beneficial there are.
That said, have there been any studies which compare acupuncture and sham acupuncture with no acupuncture?

skb

[Hayley]

That's interesting. My local chinese herbal store has a huge poster in the window claiming they can help with fertility problems through their accupuncture services. I wonder if that poster and claim will still be there? (Who am I kidding...)

[skbuncks]

That's interesting. My local chinese herbal store has a huge poster in the window claiming they can help with fertility problems through their accupuncture services. I wonder if that poster and claim will still be there? (Who am I kidding...)

Probably. Still a nice little letter to trading standards may change that

skb

[Hayley]

I was thinking that too. Will be in town later this week so I'll have to keep an eye out.

[Tony Williams]

Damn you polomint for getting in there first. I was sure I could work a joke out of 'bunch of pricks'

The headline in one newspaper I saw was "The prick that won't make you pregnant"

[Julia]

Hayley, by all means get onto your local TS. It's always worth a try.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

There's a lot of myths about fertility (mostly spread on the internet these days) and acupuncture is just one. There is one really negative practical drawback to sticking needles in yourself if you are undertaking IVF or planning to - it will almost certainly mean you need to get another set of blood tests before commencing treatment. Something you can really do without with all the other stresses and time pressures of going through a treatment.

[chaggle]

It doesn't help with childbirth either:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar....html#comments

Women giving birth cannot rely on acupuncture to relieve the agony, claim researchers.
They found no evidence that needle therapy reduces labour pains despite its growing popularity in pregnancy and during delivery.
A new review of 10 trials says there is 'no convincing evidence' to support the use of acupuncture in childbirth and those who support it could be influenced by the 'mysticism of the East'.

Ok I know it's the Mail but:

The findings comes as almost four out of five GPs say they would like to see acupuncture available on the NHS.

Is that true?

[Matt]

Is that true?

Plausibly referring to this from 2003. Extremely small sample size not a broad cross section all coming from one practive. Pinch of salt.