Non-Medical Approaches to Infertility

That question is best answered at an individual level. Infertility can be the result of a number of impairments of varying nature and severity. For this reason, we recommend a basic evaluation and individualized counseling for couples having difficulty in conception. If the fallopian tubes were blocked by scar tissue or sperm absent, meditation would not be an effective intervention to increase pregnancy rates. There is some data to suggest that acupuncture may be helpful in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF); other studies have found no conferred benefit. Most botanicals are of uncertain efficacy but have potential for harm, and drug interactions, if not used appropriately.

Looking beyond an endpoint of pregnancy rates, meditation techniques can be helpful to lower anxiety, stress, and the sense of loss of control that are far too often part of the infertility experience. Outside of situations of extreme duress in which women stop ovulating, stress is rarely a primary cause of infertility. It is unclear whether stress may contribute in subtler ways to make it more difficult for infertile individuals to conceive. In any case, stress is not healthy and not a great starting point before embarking on a path that can have uncertainty and the potential for emotional and financial anxiety. In my view, any safe intervention that patients can do to keep relaxed and involved in the process is a definite positive.