Unexplained Infertility Up to 26% of infertile couples have unexplained infertility.[1] In these cases abnormalities are likely to be present but not detected by current methods. Possible problems could be that the egg is not released at the optimum time for fertilization, that it may not enter the fallopian tube, sperm may not be able to reach the egg, fertilization may fail to occur, transport of the zygote may be disturbed, or implantation fails. It is increasingly recognized that egg quality is of critical importance and women of advanced maternal age have eggs of reduced capacity for normal and successful fertilization.
Reference source
1:Makar RS, Toth TL (2002). "The evaluation of infertility". Am J Clin Pathol. 117 Suppl: S95–103.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture performed 25 minutes before and after IVF embryo transfer increased IVF pregnancy rates in a German study published in 2002.[16] In a 2006 similar study conducted by The University of South Australia, the acupuncture group’s odds (although not statistically significant) were 1.5 higher than the control group.[17] Although definitive results of the effects of acupuncture on embryo transfer remain a topic of discussion, study authors state that it appears to be a safe adjunct to IVF.[17][18]
Reference source
16: Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K (Apr 2002). "Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy". Fertil. Steril. 77 (4): 721–4. doi:10.1016/S0015-0282(01)03273-3. PMID 11937123. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0015028201032733.
17: Smith C, Coyle M, Norman RJ (May 2006). "Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer". Fertil Steril. 85 (5): 1352–8. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.12.015. PMID 16600225.
18: Stener-Victorin E, Humaidan P (Dec 2006). "Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer" . Acupunct Med 24 (4): 157–63. doi:10.1136/aim.24.4.157. PMID 17264833.