Often times, fertility doctors encourage their struggling patients to start their medical journey in conceiving with the so called "less invasive" option IUI. This stands for Intra-Uterine Insemination and is usually less scary than the IVF, or In-Vitro Fertilization.
However, in my clinical experience, and according to the data, IUIs can be a waste of time and resources. Here is why:
Chances of success with IUI are barely higher than natural conception
IUI is more relevant if you do not ovulate, but unnecessary in other root causes
Acupuncture is as efficient at restoring ovulation than IUI medications
Said medications have bad side effects
Chances of success with IUI: the case against.
The pregnancy rate for IUI by age is:
Age 20 to 30: 17.6%
Age 31 to 35: 13.3%
Age 36 to 38: 13.4%
This means you need an average of 5 IUIs for a successful pregnancy. The cost of 5 IUIs is the same (if not more) as one cycle of IVF. So the money argument goes right out the window, not to mention the side effects of medications.
The pregnancy chances while conceiving naturally is:
Age 30: 20%
Age 35: 15%
Age 40: 5%
As you can see, they are roughly the same until age 40, at which point egg quality might be an issue. IVF might be more indicated at that point, so you can get a chance to genetically test your embryos and reduce risks of multiple pregnancy or miscarrying.
Who is IUI really relevant for?
This is a gross generalization, of course, each journey is unique and we respect everybody's choice.
IUI is relevant FOR YOU if YOU DECIDE it is, but it is our duty to make you as informed as you can be for your decision.
As practitioners, we accompany you no matter what path you are on without judgement.
However, as fertility advocates not trying to get the maximum money out of you, we believe that it may not be the best option unless you are part of these categories:
People working with sperm donors, under the age of 35
Diagnosed Anovulatory condition like PCOS (and even then, acupuncture alone might be enough, as multiple success stories in my own clinic have shown)
Confirmed clear tubes (after an HSG exam)
Acupuncture has been proven by studies to be as efficient as Clomiphene (Clomid)
Clomid is the most commonly prescribed drug for couples trying timed intercourse or IUI. Although it is being replaced by Letrozole, many of my patients still come with complaints about the terrible side effects of Clomid.
A meta-analysis[1] showed that there was no statistical difference in the ovulation rate between groups among
Acupuncture & Moxibustion,
Clomiphene,
Acupuncture & Moxibustion combined with Clomiphene
This means acupuncture restores ovulation just as well as Clomid. And it does not come with the slurry of side effects that Clomid does: hot flashes, mood swings, nausea or even cysts.
Success story: 5 failed IUIs, 2 babies with acupuncture
This is the story of F., a patient of taproot acupuncture.
She came to me after 4 unsuccessful IUIs, despite being only 34 years old, and all hormones levels showing as optimal. We started weekly acupuncture and herbs, and her 5th IUI also failed.
She was considering going to IVF, but I urged her to just take a few months to reset her body, and focus on nervous system regulation. After 3 months, she was sleeping a lot more and a lot better. And 6 months after her first session, she became pregnant naturally and delivered a healthy baby boy. She also cam back to me 2 years later for the conception of her baby daughter who is now 1 year old.
Talk to your fertility consultant and advocate at taproot acupuncture today, to understand your options and make your specific journey heard by someone who cares!
[1] Li , Chen Yajie , Zou Kun
TITLE=Meta analysis of ovulation induction effect and pregnancy outcome of acupuncture & moxibustion combined with clomiphene in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology VOLUME=14 YEAR=2023
DOI=10.3389/fendo.2023.1261016
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