Other Approaches to Treatment

In addition to surgery and medications, other approaches may be tried to help couples conceive:

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. 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 1/3 of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).[1] A more recent study found that acupuncture appears to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rates with patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The data demonstrated that patients who received acupuncture treatments during in vitro fertilization (IVF) experienced higher pregnancy rates than patients who didn't undergo acupuncture during IVF (42.4% versus 26.3%).[2]

While this initial evidence may be heartening for patients with specific medical conditions, additional studies are needed to fully understand the benefits — or possible side effects — of acupuncture. As always, if you are considering alternative treatments, talk with your healthcare provider first.