Informed Consent- Infertility Acupuncture

Posted on July 16, 2024

Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, LAc. QME is known in the community for helping infertile couples have biological children when IVF has failed.

IVF can fail for many reasons, we will not be addressing that here.  We are addressing the risks of conception.

Infertile couples, or older women/men attempting to conceive have increased risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, or conceiving disabled children.  It is with that understanding which they decide to attempt to conceive a child.

Couples attempting to have a child when a man is 40 years, or older, have increased risks of miscarriages, may have offspring who have autism, schizophrenia, or other health conditions.  It is with the understanding of such risks informed consumers choose to move forward with attempting to conceive.

Regardless of the blind faith consumers have in PGT-A testing (preimplantation genetic testing) no test is 100% accurate.  Gleichter et al. state PGT-A causes “harm to affected couples”.  At this time we know PGT-A reduces pregnancy rates, reduced embryo implantation, and does not reduce miscarriages in IVF cycles.

The use of PGT-A recently skyrocketed even though it was scientifically “unvalidated”.

We now have two randomized controlled trials proving beneficial claims of PGT-A to be false.  However, IVF centers continue to claim PGT-A increases pregnancy rates and reduces miscarriages on their websites.

Additionally, infertility may be a symptom of underlying health issues, which must be addressed.  These health concerns are often not addressed since patients are typically under the care of IVF doctors simply to force a pregnancy.  The public is generally unaware that infertility is a symptom of underlying risk factors for both men and women.

ACOG states “the consequences of an infertility diagnosis extend beyond the pursuit of family building, because women with infertility also face increased risks for severe maternal morbidity, cancer, and chronic disease”

Dr. Pourhassani is concerned about the health of the mother, father, and the unborn child.  She is not simply concerned with forcing a pregnancy without addressing the elephant in the room (ie: maternal and paternal health).

IVF doctors or their staff do not make decisions about acupuncture and the work of Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, LAc.

Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, LAc does not work under any Medical Doctor. Dr. Pourhassani is not affiliated with any IVF center.

If you choose to move forward with experimental treatments you are aware of known risks of conception listed here.

P.S. If you’re still blinded by faith in technology, consider Grossbaum v. Genesis Genetics Institute, Doe v. Illinois Masonic Medical Center, and Doolan v. IVF America, Inc. are cases in which children were born with Cystic Fibrosis despite PGT for known positive carrier status in both parents (1–3).

After the COVID-19 pandemic, I expected the public to be aware of false-negative, and false-positive test results.  No test is 100% accurate, or without error.  Any claims, or marketing by IVF doctors are always riddled with financial conflict of interest.

If you would like a consultation and evaluation as to how you may be able to reduce risk factors, and increase your chance of conception we recommend making an appointment with Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, LAc, QME before the age of 28 years old for women, prior to egg freezing, ideally before any IVF cycles, and definitely after one failed IVF cycle.