Overview of Publications on Acupuncture for Human Infertility
According to studies reported over the past two decades, about 30 to 40 percent of infertility cases are believed to be caused by male factors and about 40 to 50 percent are attributed to female factors. In about a quarter of all cases, more than one of these factors may be involved, with the rest of infertility cases unexplained (Luo, 2002). In Western medicine, female factors of infertility include ovulation problems, tubal or uterine problems, pelvic adhesion, fibroma, endometriosis, endometritis, endometrial tuberculosis, and immunological factors. Male factors include defective sperm production and insemination difficulties (Luo, 2002).
In Chinese and other traditional Oriental medicine, the main etiology and pathology of human infertility is understood as deficiency of the kidney, stagnation of the liver-QI, phlegm-dampness in the channels, and blood stasis (Luo, 2002). Consequently, traditional Chinese medicine often employs acupuncture or the use of needling at key body sites to overcome deficits or to stimulate activity in order to achieve pregnancy (Eamons & Patton, 2000).
The focus of this report is on clinical research studies and empirical research projects examining the efficacy of various acupuncture techniques and protocols with respect to improving fertility rates. A total of 12 sources drawn from both Western and Oriental journals were employed in the present study after a lengthy search of multiple databases.
Epidemiology, Morbidity, and Costs
As noted above, infertility is a problem that can be traced to both male and female factors (Luo, 2002). There is no currently available or reliable data on the extent of infertility among either males or female; however, Clayman (1989) pointed out that infertility is a common problem and as many as one in six couples may require help from a specialist. Infertility increas...