The Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Headaches in Women Undergoing IVF Egg Stimulation

The Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Headaches in Women Undergoing IVF Egg Stimulation: A Pilot Pre-Post Observational Study

To test the effect of acupuncture in treating headaches, as well as co-measures of stress and emotional distress, in participants during the hormonal stimulation phase prior to an oocyte retrieval. Subjects were identified females at birth experiencing a headache while undergoing a hormone stimulation cycle as part of in vitro fertilization or oocyte cryopreservation. Intervention was an individualized acupuncture treatment with needle retention for thirty minutes. Main outcome measured were headache intensity, level of stress, level of emotional distress.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult biological female
• participating in an active hormone stimulation cycle
• receiving acupuncture treatment for fertility support at SCRC in Beverly Hills with the second investigator
• experiencing a headache

Exclusion Criteria:

• participants undergoing a medicated IUI