Alternative Treatments

For couples who are trying to conceive, a variety of alternative treatment options are available.

Some couples choose to pursue these methods independent of mainstream treatments, but many couples prefer to use them in conjunction with mainstream infertility treatments.

You will need Adobe Flash Player to view this content.

  • Acupuncture helped Adrien with fertility treatment.

What about vitamins and herbs?

Some people are totally convinced by the use of herbal remedies. Some herbs have been traditionally used for infertility, but the medical jury is still out regarding whether or not they are helpful. In fact, some herbs can actually increase the risk of miscarriage if you are pregnant, or could potentially interact with other infertility treatments you may be undergoing. So it's important to tell your doctor about any and every vitamin and herb you are taking.

Vitamin supplments are of special interest, and there's still much to learn about the role they play in fertility. Some studies demonstrate that certain supplements may be useful in helping to treat infertility. For example, regarding male infertility: One study showed that men who took a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and L-carnitine (amino acids) had increased sperm motility. This, in turn, resulted in a slight increase in pregnancies among study participants.1

Another study showed that men with low sperm counts who took vitamin E had a higher rate of fertilization than those who took a placebo (sugar pill).2

Unfortunately, there is not much evidence for women. Additional research needs to be conducted on this subject.

It's important to understand that herbal and nutritional supplements are only partly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. It's also essential that you tell your doctor about any and every supplement you are taking, since they could potentially interact with other infertility treatments you may be undergoing.

Acupuncture

As alternative medicine becomes more accepted and widespread, people are increasingly turning to acupuncture either as a replacement or supplement to medical treatment for infertility. An integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world. It involves inserting very thin needles into certain body points to improve health and well-being.

Recent scientific studies are revealing that acupuncture may, in fact, offer some fertility benefits to women. One study discovered that treatment with electro-acupuncture induced ovulation in more than one third of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.3 Another more recent study found that acupuncture appears to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rates with patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. The data demonstrated that patients who received acupuncture treatments during in vitro fertilization experienced higher pregnancy rates than those who did not (42.4% versus 26.3%).4

Want more information on acupuncture? Visit these sites:

Talk to your doctor before pursuing any alternative therapies for infertility.

  • 1. Balercia G, Regoli F, Armeni T, Koverech A, Mantero F, Boscaro M. Placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial on the use of L-carnitine, L-acetylcarnitine, or combined L-carnitine and L-acetylcarnitine in men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. Fertil Steril. 2005;84(3):662-71.
  • 2. Kessopoulou E, Powers HJ, Sharma KK, et al. A double-blind randomized placebo cross-over controlled trial using the antioxidant vitamin E to treat reactive oxygen species associated male infertility. Fertil Steril. 1995;64(4):825-31.
  • 3. Stener-Victorin E, Waldenström U, Tägnfors U, Lundeberg T, Lindstedt G, Janson PO. Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2000;79(3):180-188.
  • 4. Paulus W, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002;77(4):721-724.

Control What You Can

Get tips on healthy living.

Develop a Fertility Plan

with My Fertility LifeLines™ tools Get organized. Get started.

FIND A FERTILITY SPECIALIST

Enter your Zip code to find a fertility treatment specialist or fertility clinic in your area:

Important Considerations:
Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the oligo-anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® RFF Pen is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program. Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) should only be prescribed by physicians specializing in fertility or reproductive health. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, and multiple births. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to FSH preparations, primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction and pregnancy. Nursing women should not use Gonal-f®. Common side effects include headache, abdominal pain, enlarged abdomen, and injection site disorders. For complete product details, see full prescribing information.

Important Considerations:
Women: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program.
Men: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of spermatogenesis in men with primary and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom the cause of infertility is not due to primary testicular failure. Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) should only be prescribed by physicians who are thoroughly familiar with infertility problems and their management. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women and men who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to recombinant FSH preparations or one of their excipients, high levels of FSH indicating primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, sex hormone dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs, and an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; and in women who exhibit abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin, ovarian cyst or enlargement of undetermined origin and pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Gonal-f®. The most common side effects in patients using Gonal-f® include headache, ovarian cysts, nausea and upper respiratory infections in women and in men, acne, breast pain and growth, and fatigue. Injection site reactions were also reported. Reports of multiple births have been associated with Gonal-f® treatment. For complete product details, see the full prescribing information.

For complete product details, please read the Prescribing Information offered below.


© EMD Serono, Inc. CIM Last Update 2008-09-16
This site contains medical information that is intended for residents of the United States only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a medical professional. Always consult a physician if you have health concerns. Use and access of this site is subject to the terms and conditions as set out in our Legal Statement and Privacy Policy.

This site contains information that is intended for US residents only. Canadian residents should consult the EMD Serono Canada Inc. Web site at www.emdserono.ca for information on products and services approved in Canada.

EMD Serono

Close

Please wait... loading

View the Full Glossary