Women having acupuncture while undergoing IVF increase their chances of getting pregnant, according to a review of studies.

Experts found evidence of success for women who had acupuncture within one day of embryo transfer.

The study, by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the US and the VU University Amsterdam, involved a review of seven published trials.

A total of 1,366 women undergoing IVF were included in the trials, which compared acupuncture given within one day of embryo transfer, sham acupuncture where needles are inserted away from points used in genuine acupuncture, and no additional treatment.

Women of various ages with different causes of infertility were included.

The timing of the acupuncture sessions in relation to embryo transfer differed somewhat among trials.

However, all the women received acupuncture immediately before or immediately after the embryo transfer.

The review found a 65% increased chance of falling pregnant with acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture or no treatment

FROM METRO.CO.UK - "Acupuncture 'improves' IVF baby chance" Thursday 7, 2008

Acupuncture can increase the chances of women having a baby with IVF treatment by 65 per cent, according to research.

The needle therapy makes IVF treatment more successful by helping the lining of the uterus become more receptive to receiving an embryo, scientists claim.

It is thought to alter the autonomic nervous system, which controls muscles and glands, and re-balance hormone levels critical for conception.

Susan Seenan of Infertility Network UK said: 'Preliminary results from this study appear to show that acupuncture given with embryo transfer can help improve success rates and we look forward to further research in this area to confirm this.

'Infertility treatment is extremely stressful and success is not guaranteed.' She said many women claimed therapies such as acupuncture helped them relax and deal with the stress of IVF treatment – which can boost success rates.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that 30 minutes of acupuncture therapy increased the odds of conceiving with IVF by 65 per cent.

However, Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary medicine from the Peninsula Medical school, based in Exeter and Plymouth, said the effect could be due to a placebo response.

He added: '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.'