Hypnosis, emotional coaching and fertility:
the evidence base
There's solid evidence that psychological support ranging from hypnotherapy to learning relaxation skills have a powerful impact on fertility and on the success of IVF. This page presents a selection of that research.
- Dr Eliahu Levitas of Soroka University, Israel, found 28% of women who were hypnotised during IVF became pregnant, compared with 14% of those who were not.
- Dr Shevach Friedler at the Assaf Harofeh Medical Centre in Zerifin, Czechoslovakia found that when women were entertained by a clown immediately after IVF, just over a third conceived, compared to only 19% of a group who were not entertained. (Dr Friedler trained in movement and mime before entering the medical profession.)
- Dr. Alice Dolmar (Journal of Fertility and Sterility, April 2000) conducted a programme centrally featuring deep relaxation. Of the 148 infertile women in the programme, 55 percent conceived within 6 months and actually delivered babies as did 54 percent of those participating in a support group. In the group that received no psychological help, only 20 percent conceived and gave birth.
- In another study, (Journal of the American Medical Women's Association, 1999) Dr Dolmar found that 42 percent of the 132 infertile women in the program conceived within 6 months.
- In four other published studies by Dr Dolmar on several hundred women with average infertility duration of 3.5 years, 42 percent conceived within six months of completing the program and there were significant decreases in all measured psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and anger.
- In Austria, physicians are legally required to offer psychological support to women undergoing any form of assisted reproduction. These include hypnotherapy, counselling, other forms of psychotherapy, relaxation classes, and other things. A study of 1156 women showed that of women who had received such help, 56.4% achieved conception. But in patients who were planning to accept the offer but had not yet done do, the pregnancy rate was only 41.9%.
- Professor Sarah Berga from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia studied 16 women who had not had a period for six months and who were perfectionists in their approach to life. They had been diagnosed with functional hypothalamic amennhorea (FHA), a condition in which there is a prolonged reduction in the hormone which triggers the release of the hormones which cause ovulation. She gave CBT (cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy) to one half, no treatment to the other.
Of the eight women given CBT, six regained their full fertility, with a seventh woman showing some signs of restored ovarian function. But in the control group, only one woman recovered her fertility.
[For further details]
To make an appointment or any me any questions, just give me a ring: 0845-3510604 / 0117-968-7307. I'm happy to answer questions or arrange, in Bristol or Taunton, a free, no-obligation half-hour initial meeting. My approach is friendly, respectful, and very effective.
Sitemap Fees Schedule Contact
The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.
Anon
My newsletter brings you insights, information and practical tools you can use to create more happiness and inner peace in your life. Sign up to the newsletter here.
To arrange an appointment, or for more information, ring and speak to me direct. Clinics: In Bristol, 7, Unity St, BS1 5HH (off Park St, by College Green, easy parking) and in Clifton, on the edge of the Downs; in Central London; 2, Middle St Taunton, TA1 1SH.
0117-968-7307
Copyright © 1995-2011 Andrew White All rights reserved