Infertility is the second most common reason for women aged 20-45 to visit their doctor, pregnancy itself being the first. In 2007 about 1 in 7 couples had trouble conceiving, or about 3.5 million people(1). The number of women receiving IVF or ICSI treatment has more than doubled since 1992 rising from 14,057 to 36,648 in 2007 (2,3) and fertility rates in the UK continue to fall. In addition secondary infertility rates are surprisingly high with 20% of women who already have a child having difficulty to have another. The impact on people experiencing infertility can be immense and is the cause of a huge amount of stress, sadness and expense.

While the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that NHS trusts make three cycles of IVF available to couples experiencing infertility, many do not, most in England offering only one cycle. Given that the average cost of one cycle of IVF is around £4000, and it takes most couples at least three cycles to get pregnant, assisted conception can be a very expensive exercise. In fact only about a third of couples end up with a baby at the end if their assisted conception treatment.

 

A properly targeted program of complementary therapies can make a significant difference to the ability of some couples to conceive naturally, and can also increase the chances of IVF treatment being successful. Extensive scientific research has shown that taken in isolation acupuncture (4), hypnosis(5), diet and exercise(6) can have a beneficial effect on levels of conception, a study into using hypnosis during IVF treatment even finding a doubling in success rates. When these natural approaches are combined in a way which responds most effectively to the needs of an individual or couple, the chances of having a much wished for baby can increase dramatically, even when conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Endometriosis are a factor.

At CIT we make use of all therapies available to us to tailor a bespoke treatment plan having identified the key indicators for infertility relevant to the client. We undertake a thorough assessment of the possible basis for infertility including looking at the client's stress levels, physical fitness, levels of nutrition, ovulation cycles and psychological approach to conception. A typical treatment plan would seek to ensure that physical, mental and emotional health and balance are improved providing the conditions for an increased likelihood of conception. We only make use of therapies which we believe to have been proven to have a measurable impact on fertility and which have been the subject of scientific study.

To make an appointment to discuss possible treatment options or for a full fertility assessment, please call us on at the clinic on 01225 316670 or email us on mail@centreforintegratedtherapies.com.

 

 

(1) Facts and Figures 2006 - Fertility problems and treatment. 2008. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

(2) Birth Statistics. 'Review of the Registrar General on births and patterns of family building in England and Wales, 2001'. Series FM1 no.30 (revised). London: Office for National Statistics. 2002.

(3) Birth Statistics. 'Review of the Registrar General on births and patterns of family building in England and Wales, 2006'. Series FM1 no.35. London: Office for National Statistics. 2007.

(4) Manheimer, E. et al. 'Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis'. British Medical Journal, 2008;336:545-549 (8 March).

(5) Levitas, E. et al. 'Impact of hypnosis during embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a case-control study.' Fertility and Sterility Journal. May 2006; 8 (5):14040-8.

(6) Chavarro, J. E. et al. 'Fat, Carbs and the Science of Conception'. Newsweek,  December 10, 2007.