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IVF Procedure, Secrets of Korean Medicine Treatment to Increase Success Rate

For many couples who are eagerly waiting for a baby, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can be both a hope and a heavy burden. Amidst a flood of information, many may feel lost about which treatment is right for them and whether it will succeed. If you are ahead of the big decision of IVF or are already trying, it is important to check your body's readiness and find wise ways to increase the success rate. This is because the process of creating a body optimized for pregnancy determines a successful pregnancy and healthy birth, going beyond just undergoing the procedure.

💡 [Key Answer] 3 most important factors to increase IVF success rates: ① Healthy uterine environment / ② High-quality eggs and sperm / ③ Stable implantation maintenance Dalimchae Clinic creates a body state optimized for pregnancy by correcting the fundamental balance of the body through constitutional improvement.

Can IVF really be successful?

The IVF procedure has established itself as one of the effective ways to overcome infertility with the development of modern medicine. However, not all procedures are necessarily successful, so many people feel anxious and impatient. Amidst these worries, interest in complementary treatments that can increase success rates is growing, and in particular, Korean medicine infertility treatment is attracting attention.

In fact, various studies are being published showing that acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments have a positive effect on increasing the success rate of IVF. According to a meta-analysis study published on July 15, 2023, analyzing data from 25 high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the live birth rate of the group that received acupuncture treatment was 38.0%, which was significantly improved by about 33.8% compared to 28.7% of the control group that did not receive acupuncture treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, the clinical pregnancy rate was also higher in the acupuncture group at 43.6%, compared to 33.2% in the control group. The researchers concluded that acupuncture is a safe and cost-effective way to significantly improve the results of IVF.

In another study by Director Cho Jun-young (Kkotmaeul Korean Medicine Clinic) and Professor Kwon Chan-young (Dong-eui Medical Center) published in the SCI(E)-level international academic journal 'Complementary Therapies in Medicine' in 2020, systematically analyzing 43 randomized controlled trials (total 4,316 people), they stated that the live birth rate (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.72) and clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.29-1.49) were significantly higher when herbal medicine treatment was combined with the IVF procedure compared to cases where only the procedure was performed. The researchers mentioned that they hope these results will help relieve the anxiety of infertile couples undergoing IVF and emphasize the benefits of combining Korean medicine treatment. These studies suggest the possibility of Korean medicine treatment to increase the success rate of IVF, and Dalimchae Clinic focuses on constitutional improvement treatment that healthily prepares the bodies of infertile couples based on such scientific evidence.

How is Korean medicine infertility treatment different from IVF?

While IVF is a method of fertilizing eggs and sperm externally and transferring embryos into the uterus, Korean medicine infertility treatment is a treatment that helps the woman's body, who will become a mother, prepare for and maintain a healthy pregnancy on its own. At Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch, we find the fundamental cause of IVF failure, strengthen uterine and ovarian functions, and perform constitutional improvement treatment to regain overall body balance. This aims to not only manage visible symptoms but also solve problems within the body that hinder pregnancy to create a healthy uterine environment and high-quality eggs, and further help with stable implantation and healthy birth.

Infertility is not just a problem with reproductive organs but is deeply related to systemic factors such as stress, decreased immunity, and blood circulation problems. In particular, the psychological burden experienced during the IVF process can break the balance of the autonomic nervous system, hindering blood flow to the uterus and deepening hormonal imbalance. Korean medicine constitutional improvement treatment improves these complex problems, increases the body's recovery power, and creates a synergy that naturally pulls up the success rate of IVF.

Before and after IVF, why is Korean medicine treatment necessary?

The IVF procedure itself places a significant burden on a woman's body. Physical changes occurring during the superovulation induction process and psychological pressure from repeated procedures can lead to decreased ovarian function or worsening of the uterine environment. At this time, Korean medicine infertility treatment plays an important role in reducing side effects of the procedure and helping the body recover.

1. Body preparation before the procedure: Through Korean medicine treatment for 2-3 months before IVF, uterine and ovarian functions can be optimized, and egg quality can be improved. This contributes to the formation of healthy embryos and becomes the foundation for increasing the implantation success rate. It's about creating a healthy pregnancy environment by improving blood circulation and strengthening immunity.

2. Relief of side effects during the procedure and enhancement of implantation rate: Acupuncture treatment during the procedure reduces discomfort from superovulation induction and improves uterine lining blood flow to make the implantation environment favorable. In fact, research results showing that acupuncture contributes to increasing the pregnancy rate and live birth rate of IVF are being continuously published.

3. Maintenance of pregnancy and recovery after the procedure: Maintaining stable implantation is very important after embryo transfer. Korean medicine treatment can help stabilize the uterus and reduce the risk of miscarriage, and contributes to maintaining a healthy pregnancy period even after pregnancy and helping postpartum recovery. Dalimchae Clinic's constitutional improvement treatment does not just temporarily turn off symptoms, but builds a fundamental foundation for health that allows the body to maintain a healthy pregnancy state on its own and increases recovery power even after birth.

Pregnancy Readiness Checklist

If 3 or more of the following items apply to you, you should pay more attention to body management for pregnancy.

• The menstrual cycle is irregular and menstrual pain is severe.
• Hands and feet are cold and the lower abdomen always feels cold.
• I feel chronic fatigue and don't feel refreshed even after resting.
• Digestion is not good and gas often fills the stomach.
• I am vulnerable to stress and have severe mood swings.
• It's hard to fall asleep or I wake up often, making it hard to get a good night's sleep.
• I experience frequent headaches or dizziness.

Judgment: 3 or more items apply → Constitutional improvement needed → Review Korean medicine infertility treatment / 5 or more → Immediate body management is needed.

Dalimchae Clinic's Infertility Treatment Process

At Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch, we establish customized treatment plans by closely analyzing the body condition and cause of infertility for each infertile couple.

Stage 1: Precision Diagnosis and Consultation We comprehensively identify individual constitution, current health state, and infertility-related medical history. We find factors of body imbalance through Korean medical diagnosis methods such as autonomic nerve testing, pulse diagnosis, and abdominal diagnosis.

Stage 2: Customized Herbal Medicine Prescription According to the diagnosis results, we prescribe optimized herbal medicine for the individual with the goal of strengthening uterine and ovarian function, regulating hormonal balance, relieving stress, and supplementing qi and blood. Dalimchae's herbal medicine is prepared through strict selection of medicinal herbs and sincere decoction.

Stage 3: Acupuncture/Moxibustion/Pharmacopuncture Treatment We combine acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture treatments that improve blood circulation around the uterus and ovaries, balance the autonomic nervous system, and help the implantation environment. This is especially effective in pulling up the body's condition to the highest before and after IVF.

Stage 4: Lifestyle Coaching We provide customized coaching on lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, and sleep to maximize treatment effects and maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Q. When is it good to start Korean medicine treatment before an IVF procedure?

A. Generally, it is good to start Korean medicine treatment 2-3 months before the IVF procedure to prepare the body. This is because it is important to have enough time to strengthen uterine and ovarian functions and improve the quality of eggs and sperm.

Q. Is it okay to combine Korean medicine infertility treatment with Western procedures?

A. Yes, combined treatment is highly recommended. Korean medicine treatment can have a synergistic effect in increasing the success rate of Western procedures and reducing side effects. It is important to consult sufficiently with your Korean medicine doctor and Western medical staff to establish an optimal treatment plan.

Q. Does Korean medicine treatment help with male infertility too?

A. Yes, Korean medicine treatment can be a great help for male infertility as well. Through customized herbal prescriptions and acupuncture treatment to improve sperm quality such as number, motility, and morphology, it contributes to strengthening male reproductive function and producing healthy sperm.

Q. How long is Dalimchae Clinic's infertility treatment period?

A. The treatment period may vary depending on the individual's cause of infertility, health status, and age. Usually, steady treatment for at least 3 to 6 months or more is recommended, and the treatment plan is adjusted while checking the body's changes in between.

The road to meeting the baby you are eagerly waiting for can be overwhelming and lonely to walk alone. You no longer have to ignore the signals your body has been sending for a long time. If you approach in the right direction, the body responds faster than you think. Bring the difficulties you are currently experiencing exactly as they are. At Dalimchae Clinic, we will find the cause together and do our best so that you can enjoy the joy of a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Where life blooms. For herbal medicine, it's Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. Check your symptoms similar to mine through the AI consultation on the Dalimchae Clinic website first!

This article is health information compiled by Dalimchae medical staff based on questions frequently received in the treatment room. Medical Supervision | Women's and Pregnancy Treatment Standards Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch Korean Medicine Doctor Yang Yuchan (Pregnancy Prep Column)