Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture London Chelsea, North Kensington, Notting Hill, and Richmond

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized the field of reproductive medicine, offering hope to millions of couples struggling with infertility. One crucial aspect of the IVF process is the assessment and grading of embryos. Embryo grading plays a pivotal role in determining the quality and viability of embryos, aiding fertility specialists in selecting the most promising embryos for transfer. In this article, we delve into the significance of embryo grading and its impact on the success of IVF procedures. Understanding Embryo Grading: Embryo grading involves the systematic evaluation of various characteristics of embryos to assess their quality and developmental potential. Typically, embryos are graded based on two main factors: morphology and development rate. Morphology: Embryo morphology refers to the visual appearance and structure of the embryo. Experts examine parameters such as cell number, symmetry, fragmentation, and the presence of specific structures, such as the inner...

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a substance that is produced in small ovarian follicles measuring less than 4 mm. These follicles are so tiny that they cannot be detected through ultrasound imaging. As the follicles grow, the production of AMH decreases and eventually ceases. In fact, follicles larger than 8 mm produce almost no AMH at all. Consequently, the levels of AMH in the blood remain relatively constant. Researchers have utilized the measurement of AMH in the blood as a means to assess the size of the pool of developing follicles in women. This pool size is greatly influenced by the number of remaining non-growing follicles. Hence, AMH levels are believed to reflect the size of the remaining egg supply, commonly referred to as "ovarian reserve." Due to its consistent levels, the AMH test can be conducted on any day of a woman's menstrual cycle. Women with a limited number of remaining follicles typically exhibit low levels of AMH. As a woman ages, her AMH levels d...

Acupuncture has gained wide recognition as a valuable adjunct to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Numerous studies have explored the positive impact of acupuncture on female infertility and its ability to enhance the success of IVF procedures. A recent review has carefully examined this phenomenon and revealed compelling evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture. Specifically, six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted over the past three years involving IVF-ET (embryo transfer) patients demonstrated significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates among those who received acupuncture compared to those who did not. For instance, one study demonstrated that acupuncture can improve the production of high-quality embryos in IVF patients. Another study revealed that acupuncture treatment leads to increased levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in IVF patients, facilitating enhanced blood flow in the endometrial artery. These physiological changes are crucial for s...

Endometrial receptivity (ER) refers to the ability of the endometrium, or uterine lining, to accept embryos for implantation, which is a crucial step in achieving pregnancy. ER undergoes changes throughout the menstrual cycle, and there are only a few days when the uterine lining is optimal for embryo implantation. This timeframe, known as the implantation window, typically occurs 6-10 days after ovulation, which falls between the 20th and 24th day of a normal menstrual cycle. Research has indicated that a thin endometrium is closely associated with a low pregnancy rate. When the average size of follicles reaches 18 mm and the endometrial thickness is less than 7.0 mm, embryo implantation is greatly affected. While higher-quality embryos are typically selected for transfer in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles, only a few of them successfully implant. Studies have shown that up to 75% of pregnancy losses can be attributed to implantation failure, with two-thirds of ...

Women primarily produce progesterone in the ovaries. Following ovulation, the production of progesterone increases rapidly. Its concentration reaches its peak during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, particularly from day 19 to day 22. Progesterone plays several essential roles in the female reproductive system. It prepares the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, for potential implantation of a fertilized egg. Additionally, it inhibits further ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to penetrate. If fertilization does not occur, the level of progesterone drops, leading to the onset of menstruation. However, in the event of fertilization and successful implantation, the placenta generates a significantly higher amount of progesterone during pregnancy. Throughout this period, progesterone plays a crucial role in preventing miscarriage. It achieves this by reducing the maternal immune response, enabling the acceptance of the p...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine-metabolic disorder that affects many reproductive-aged women, often leading to menstrual irregularities and infertility. It is estimated that up to 15% of women in their reproductive years experience PCOS. In recent years, acupuncture has gained increasing popularity as a potential treatment option for PCOS. Research has indicated that acupuncture can have positive effects on ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, and other symptoms associated with PCOS. One of the key benefits of acupuncture for PCOS is its ability to improve ovulation rates, pregnancy rates, insulin resistance, negative emotions, hormone imbalances, and lipid metabolism dysfunctions. By normalizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle, acupuncture aids in the restoration of regular menstrual periods. Recent reviews have provided encouraging evidence supporting the use of acupuncture in PCOS treatment. Fo...

Acupuncture, a traditional, complementary, alternative, or integrative medicine therapy (TCAIM), has gained significant recognition and popularity in Australia and New Zealand. Among its various applications, acupuncture plays a crucial role in promoting women's health. A survey conducted recently revealed that 93% of practitioners have provided acupuncture treatments specifically tailored for women's health within the past 12 months. These findings highlight the widespread use of acupuncture in addressing women's unique health concerns. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) style of acupuncture, which incorporates principles of balancing energy flow and promoting overall well-being, emerged as the most commonly employed acupuncture style, accounting for 86% of treatments. This approach aligns with the holistic perspective of TCM, focusing on restoring balance and harmony within the body to alleviate symptoms and enhance health. The survey further revealed that acupuncture tre...

About 1 in 6 couples have difficulty conceiving and seek specialist fertility treatment. There are various treatments available depending on the causes of the infertility. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is one of the most successful treatments for couples with infertility, however it is still not 100% success. Some treatments that can increase the success rate of IVF would be preferable to support IVF. Acupuncture is one of the candidates. Here is a list of 10 reasons why you should have acupuncture as an adjunct treatment of your IVF. No1 There are no side effects of acupuncture treatment. It does not cause any harm and does not interact with any medications for whatever protocols you have for IVF. No2 IVF is a very stressful procedure. It makes women anxious about it. Stress and anxiety could affect IVF success. Acupuncture that is proved by research can reduce stress and anxiety score during IVF treatment. No3 Acupuncture reduce inflammation. If there is inflammation around the abdomi...

Acupuncture is effective for unexplained infertility What is infertility? Infertility is defined as inability to conceive after 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse. It is 6 months with women older than 35 years. If you were told that you had unexplained infertility, what does that mean? If you have difficulty to conceive for some time, you would be put on some tests to evaluate the underlying causes for the infertility. There is some standard infertility evaluation. It includes a semen analysis, assessment of ovulation, and a hysterosalpingogram (to detect uterine and fallopian tube pathology); ovarian reserve and laparoscopy are further tests that could be done to examine function of reproductive system. When these results are normal, you would be diagnosed unexplained infertility which means that there are no underlying causes for your infertility found. Are there many people suffer from this condition? Yes. 1 in 6 couples are seeking specialist help in trying for a baby. There...

Infertility and treatment If you are having difficulty to get pregnant, you are not alone. It is estimated that infertility affects 1 in 7 couples in the UK and this prevalence is increasing. The main causes of infertility in the UK are unexplained infertility (no identified male or female cause) (25%), ovulatory disorders (25%), tubal damage (20%), factors in the male causing infertility (30%), uterine or peritoneal disorders (10%). In about 40% of cases disorders are found in both the man and the woman. In 2011, 48,147 women had a total of 61,726 cycles of IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and 2,087 women had a total of 4,091 cycles of donor insemination. A total of 89,648 embryos were transferred during the course of fertility treatment which started in 2011. A total of 13,703 pregnancies were reported as a result of IVF treatment which started in 2011. In the UK, 201,811 babies have been born after IVF treatment between 1991 and 2010. Of the women who received fertilit...

How many eggs retrieved in IVF are good numbers? IVF becomes a popular technique for infertility treatment since it was invented 30 years ago. During the procedure it is difficult to predict the side effect and success for individuals. IVF success rate is related to egg number retrieved in the procedure. What is the optimum number of eggs for IVF? Is there a connection between egg numbers and live birth rate (LBR)? Ji J et al analysed the data from 2007 and 2011 from total 2455 patients who was undergoing first cycle of IVF treatment. All patients had normal menstrual cycles and were stimulated with a long GnR agonist protocol. Associations between egg number and LBR and miscarriage rate and the rate of moderate-severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) were analysed. These patients were divided into four groups according to the egg number retrieved: 0-5, 6-10,11-15 and >15. The fresh embryo transfer LBR and cumulative LBR were assessed. Their data suggested that for IVF cyc...

Embryo transfer refers to a step in the process of assisted reproduction IVF and ICSI. In this process, the embryos are placed into women’s uterus for them to implant in the uterus. Embryo transfer can be done at day two, day three, or day five. Embryos are all delicate cells and they need to be in precise environment to survive. The most important environment is the uterus of course. The uterine lining (endometrium) needs to be perfect to accommodating the embryos. To assist embryo implantation, acupuncture was used around the time of embryo transfer. The most common protocol used is from a research in Germany known as German protocol. In this study, acupuncture was performed before and after embryo transfer. The acupuncture points are: Before embryo transfer, the following Acupoints were used: PC6 (Neiguan), SP8 (Diji), LR3 (Taichong), GV20 (Baihui), and ST29 (Guilai). After embryo transfer, the following Acupoints were used: ST36 (Zusanli), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), SP10 (Xuehai), and LI4 (...