Use of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in reproductive medicine: a group consensus

Infertility affects about 10 to 15% of couples worldwide and is considered by the World Health Organization as one of the three major diseases. Although assisted reproduction technologies have evolved significantly, pregnancy rates still leave much to be desired in many cases. In this context, traditional treatments such as acupuncture, especially its modern versions with electrical stimulation, have gained prominence as complementary therapeutic options for reproductive problems. This ancient Chinese technique has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of gynecological disorders, and today its modern applications include electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, known by the acronym TEAS.

A group of 20 renowned specialists in reproductive medicine and neuroscience developed a comprehensive scientific consensus on the use of these techniques in the field of human reproduction. The study, which took nine weeks to complete using rigorous consensus methods, aimed to establish practical guidelines for physicians and therapists who use electroacupuncture and TEAS in the treatment of reproductive disorders. The researchers analyzed scientific evidence from animal and human studies to determine the optimal parameters of electrical stimulation, such as frequency, intensity, and treatment duration. The work also examined how to select the most appropriate acupuncture points based both on traditional Chinese medicine principles and on modern scientific evidence regarding the neurobiological mechanisms involved.

The findings revealed that these treatments act mainly through modulation of the peripheral nervous system, activating nerve endings that send signals to the spinal cord and brain, stimulating the release of specific chemical mediators such as endorphins and other neurotransmitters. For acute pain, such as during oocyte retrieval in in vitro fertilization procedures, the treatment proved effective with low frequencies of 2 Hz, promoting the release of enkephalin, while high frequencies of 100 Hz activate dynorphins in the spinal cord. The optimal time for each session was set at 30 minutes, the period needed for the analgesic effect to manifest fully. In polycystic ovary syndrome, one of the main causes of female infertility, treatment with electroacupuncture at low frequencies for periods of 1 to 6 months showed benefits in regulating menstrual cycles and reducing elevated hormone levels.

To improve the chances of embryo implantation after embryo transfer, two TEAS sessions, one 24 hours before and another 30 minutes after the procedure, increased pregnancy rates by up to 20%.

For patients and health professionals, these findings represent a valuable opportunity to integrate safe and effective complementary treatments into conventional assisted reproduction protocols. TEAS, in particular, offers significant advantages by being non-invasive, painless, and easy to apply, using adhesive electrodes on the skin instead of needles. The treatment can benefit women with diminished ovarian reserve, helping to improve ovarian function and oocyte quality. For men with sperm motility and concentration problems, the treatment showed significant improvements in seminal quality.

During medical procedures such as oocyte retrieval, electroacupuncture offers a natural alternative for pain control, reducing the need for analgesic medications and their possible side effects.

It is important to recognize that this study represents a consensus based on a review of available evidence, but limitations remain to be considered. Many of the analyzed studies involved relatively small samples of patients, and the exact biological mechanisms by which these techniques work are not yet fully understood. Individual response can vary significantly between patients, and factors such as age, specific cause of infertility, and overall health status can influence outcomes. In addition, although the techniques are considered safe, it is essential that they be applied by adequately trained professionals and in conjunction with specialized medical follow-up.

The consensus represents an important advance in the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with modern reproductive medicine, offering couples facing fertility problems a more comprehensive and personalized approach to treatment. Future research with larger samples and more robust study designs will be necessary to confirm and expand these promising findings.