FSANZ 2025 Poster Presentation Pilot Survey

Enhancing IVF Outcomes Through Integrative Care: The Role of Naturopathy & Acupuncture: Pilot Survey Results from IVF Patients and Specialists

FSANZ Conference September 2025

Presenter contact information

For further information about our pilot study or Fertile Ground Health Group please contact:

Fertile Ground Health Group

P: 03 9419 9988

www.fertileground.com.au

Charmaine Dennis 

BHSc (Nat), PGCert (Repro Med)

Director | Naturopath

email:  charmaine@fertileground.com.au

Gina Fox

BHSc (Nat), MA (Repro Med)

Naturopath | Nutritionist

email:  gina@fertileground.com.au

Tina Jenkins

B.Nat), MA (Repro Med-with Excellence), B.A., Cert. Nat. Fert. Mgt., Grad Cert (Learning & Teaching)

Naturopath | Torrens University Clinical Supervisor (Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine)

email: tina@fertileground.com.au

Georgia Marrion

MHNut, BHSc (Comp Med), Adv Dip (Nat)

Naturopath | Nutritionist

email:  georgiamarrion@fertileground.com.au

Christina Tolstrup

BHSc (Chinese Med)

Acupuncturist  | Chinese Herbalist

email: christina@fertileground.com.au

Survey Results 

• Online surveys created on Typeform.com 

Patient Responses:

• Emailed to the full Fertile Ground database → 13,091 active emails
• 4283 opened emails, 421 clicks to links
• 28 finalised survey responses reporting IVF treatment with collaborative care
• Summary document linked

Collaborative Care in IVF for FG Patients – FINAL SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY

IVF Specialist Responses:

• Survey emailed to 13 IVF specialists/clinics with existing collaborative relationships with Fertile Ground
• 8 responses received
• Purposive sampling approach used to capture perspectives
• Summary document linked

Collaborative Care in IVF for IVF specialists – FINAL SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY

References 

Introduction – Collaborative Care Models

1. Sehgal S et al. Integrative medicine utilization among infertility patients. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2023;21(1):71.
2. LoGiudice JA, Massaro J. The impact of complementary therapies on psychosocial factors in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF): a systematic literature review. Appl Nurs Res. 2018;39:220-228.
3. Rayner JA, McLachlan HL, Forster DA, Cramer R. Australian women’s use of complementary and alternative medicines to enhance fertility: exploring the experiences of women and practitioners. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009;9:52.
4. Sharifi F, Roudsari RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use in infertility: a review of infertile women’s needs. J Educ Health Promot. 2022;11:195.

Discussion – Acupuncture in IVF

1. Hullender Rubin LE. Point of Influence: What is the Role of Acupuncture in In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes? Med Acupunct. 2019;31(6):329-333.
2. Manheimer E et al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing IVF: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008;336:545-549. 
3. Smith CA et al. Acupuncture performed around embryo transfer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2019;38(3):364-379.
4. Wang X et al. Overview of systematic reviews of acupuncture for women undergoing IVF/ET. Front Public Health. 2021;9:651811.
5. Amorim D et al. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;31:31-37.
6. Hullender Rubin LE et al. Acupuncture for IVF-related anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2022;45(1):69-80.
7. Feng J et al. The efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of male infertility: review. Front Endocrinol. 2022;13:1009537.

Discussion – Naturopathy in IVF – Diet, Lifestyle, Supplements

1. Jahangirifar M et al. Dietary patterns and ART outcomes: a prospective cohort. Int J Fertil Steril. 2019:316-323.
2. Yourfertility.org.au. Lifestyle interventions for fertility. 2025.
3. Shen J et al. Exposure of women undergoing in vitro fertilisation to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: evidence on negative effects on fertilisation and high-quality embryos. Environ Pollut. 2024;359:124474.
4. Arhin SK et al. Effect of micronutrient supplementation on IVF outcomes: systematic review. Reprod Biomed Online. 2017;35(6):715-722.
5. Trop-Steionberg S et al. Omega-3 supplements or diets on fertility in women: meta-analysis. Heliyon. 2024;10(8):e29324.
6. liuta F et al. Women’s vitamin D levels and IVF results: systematic review and meta-analysis considering three categories of vitamin status (replete, insufficient and deficient). Hum Fertil. 2022;25(2):228-246.
7. Lin G et al. Clinical evidence of coenzyme Q10 pre-treatment for women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSO: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med. 2024;56(1):2389469.
8. Li X et al. N-acetylcysteine treatment in women with advanced age undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles: prospective study. Front Med. 2022;9:917146.
9. Zheng X et al. Inositol supplement improves clinical pregnancy rate in infertile women undergoing ovulation induction for ICSI or IVF-ET – A meta-analysis and systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017;96(49):e8842.
10. Cirillo M et al. 5-MTHF and Vitamin B12 supplementation is associated with clinical pregnancy and live birth in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(23):12280.
11. Tulenheimo-Silfvast A et al. Association between iron deficiency and fertility. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2025;104(4):738-745.
12. Garner TB et al. Role of zinc in female reproduction. Biol Reprod. 2021;104(5):976-994.
13. Humaidan P et al.  The combined effect of lifestyle intervention and antioxidant therapy on sperm DNA fragmentation and seminal oxidative stress in IVF patients: pilot study. Int Braz J Urol. 2022;48(1):131-156.
14. Kaltsas A et al. Lifestyle modifications and medicines for male infertility. Diseases. 2024;12(9):209.

Potential mechanisms supporting our clinical approach and outcomes  – A Whole-Systems Approach

Contact authors for further references supporting mechanisms of action. 

• Dietary Patterns (e.g. Mediterranean): May improve metabolic and hormonal regulation, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and support gamete and endometrial quality.
• Cellular Function & Methylation: May optimise mitochondrial activity and ATP production; protect DNA integrity via antioxidant effects; and support one-carbon metabolism (folate, B12, choline) for DNA synthesis, repair, and epigenetic programming.
• Blood Flow: May enhance autonomic regulation, vasodilation, and perfusion of ovaries and endometrium, supporting implantation parameters.
• Endometrial Receptivity: Potential improvements in endometrial thickness, vascularity, and receptivity markers.
• Neuroendocrine Modulation: Influencing hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal signalling and neurotransmitter activity for coordinated reproductive function.
• Metabolic Support: May improve glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and nutrient utilisation relevant to folliculogenesis and embryogenesis.
• Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant Actions: May reduce systemic and local inflammation, attenuate oxidative stress, and protect reproductive tissues.
• Detoxification & Environmental Load Reduction: Support for hepatic clearance pathways and minimisation of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure.
• Stress Response: Downregulation of sympathetic activity, reduced cortisol, improved parasympathetic balance, and potential support for treatment adherence.
• Male Factor Support: May enhance testicular perfusion, optimise spermatogenesis, and improve sperm DNA integrity through antioxidant, endocrine, and environmental pathways.