What are in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer?

Fertil Steril. 2008 Mar 1 [Epub ahead of print]

The impact of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization outcome.

Objectives:

To replicate previous research on the efficacy of acupuncture in increasing pregnancy rates (PR) in patients undergoing IVF and to determine whether such an increase was due to a placebo effect.

Design:

Prospective, randomized, controlled, single blind trial.

Setting:

Private, academically affiliated, infertility clinic.

Patients:

One hundred fifty patients scheduled to undergo embryo transfer.

Interventions:

Subjects were randomized to either the acupuncture or control group. Acupuncture patients received the protocol, as first described by Paulus and his colleagues, for 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer. Control subjects laid quietly. All subjects then completed questionnaires on anxiety and optimism. The IVF staff remained blind to subject assignment.

Main Outcome Measures:

Clinical PRs, anxiety, optimism.

Results:

Before randomization both groups had similar demographic characteristics including age and psychological variables. There were no significant differences in PRs between the two groups. Acupuncture patients reported significantly less anxiety post-transfer and reported feeling more optimistic about their cycle and enjoyed their sessions more than the control subjects.

Conclusions:

The use of acupuncture in patients undergoing IVF was not associated with an increase in PRs but they were more relaxed and more optimistic.

Please click on the required question..

• 1 What are the objectives of infertility treatment?
• 2 Why have I been advised to take folic acid as part of my infertility treatment?
• 3  Although my ovaries have eggs in them, my tests show that I am not releasing them (anovulation) and this is causing infertility. How can this be treated?
• 4 If I take drugs to induce ovulation (ovulation induction) for my infertility, are there any risks?
• 5 How is ovulation induction treatment for infertility monitored?
• 6 How does clomiphene citrate work for infertility?
• 7  How effective is clomiphene in the treatment of infertility?
• 8 Could I experience any problems whilst taking clomiphene?
• 9 Is there any advantage in having an injection of HCG to ensure ovulation?
• 10 How does tamoxifen work?
• 11 How can hyperprolactinaemia be treated?
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• 12A How does letrozole work for infertility?
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• 14 What are the risks for me if I receive gonadotrophin therapy?
• 15 What are recombinant gonadotrophins?
• 16  What is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
• 17 How is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome treated?
• 18 How does electrocautery (ovarian drilling) work for infertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
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• 21 I have fibroids. How should these be treated to improve my fertility?
• 22 My post-coital test has shown that my mucus is stopping the sperm from swimming (mucus hostility). What can be done?
• 22a How can male infertility be treated?
• 23 When can intrauterine insemination (IUI) improve our chance of achieving a pregnancy?
• 24 What is in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET)
• 24A IVF single or double embryo transfer?
• 25 What is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• 26 How do tubal surgery and IVF compare?
• 27 What are egg donation and egg sharing?
• 28 What is selective embryo transfer?
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• 32 How can we determine which fertility unit is likely to be the best for us?
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• 34 Infertility Support Groups.
  
  
  

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