7 Benefits of Laser for Fertility

There has been a lot of advancements in the field of laser therapy since we introduced laser acupuncture to maximize egg quality and improve IVF success back in late 2008. 

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) for fertility, referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM) for fertility by the scientific community may sound like futuristic medicine but the unique treatment has been shown to boost fertility and increase IVF success.   

Recent studies are showing that combining acupuncture and LLLT with fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) can increase live births and improve health outcomes for moms and babies, as well as for women diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility.

In addition to supporting IVF, the fusion of acupuncture and LLLT treatments can provide several other benefits:

  1. Increases mitochondria function and ATP production (recharges the battery of the cell to help maximize egg and sperm quality)

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), cellular energy, plays an essential role in fertility as it provides the egg cells with the energy required to divide and the embryo to divide and implant. photobiomodulation/LLLT treatments can increase the amount of ATP that your cells produce with the goal to maximize egg quality so there is adequate energy needed for the embryo to divide (whether in your tube & uterus or in the IVF lab) and for energy required for implantation.

Laser acupuncture onsite at the IVF clinic on the day of embryo transfer increased implantation rates by 15% in one study. 

2. Regulates inflammation 

If you have systemic inflammation, this could be decreasing your chances of getting pregnant. A woman diagnosed with endometriosis, PCOS, or unexplained infertility can optimize their fertility by regulating inflammation with a series of LLLT treatments, antioxidant supplements, and following the Acubalance anti-inflammatory fertility diet

3. Improves blood circulation

Becoming pregnant can be very difficult for women with poor or obstructed blood circulation. Improving your blood circulation can greatly benefit your ovaries and uterine receptivity. As a woman ages, the blood to her reproductive organs declines. When a cell is deprived of circulation it can lead to discomfort and cell death, so blood flow and microcirculation is essential for cellular health, and this includes sperm and egg cells and uterine receptivity. 

Photobiomodulation improves your blood circulation and lymphatic flow to optimize fertility. More blood flow to your ovaries than more nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and fertility medications can reach your follicles to support the egg’s need for optimal growth and quality and the uterus is more receptive to implantation and providing the optimal environment for the length of the pregnancy.

4. Decreases stress and promotes parasympathetic function

Unfortunately, stress and infertility often go hand-in-hand. Stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol can negatively impact blood sugar hormones and the flow of blood to your ovaries and uterus. Regulating blood sugar & stress hormones as well as increasing blood flow to your ovaries and uterus by promoting your body’s parasympathetic function through LLLT can be beneficial.  

5. Speeds tissue healing

Healing damaged tissues and softening scarring or adhesions can improve fertility outcomes. Scar tissue from previous surgeries or infections can collect around one’s reproductive organs (tubes and ovaries) and become problematic if left unaddressed.

6. Improves Gut Microbiome 

The health of the gut microbiome can have a systemic effect on health and fertility.

Signs you may have a microbiome imbalance:

  • Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea)
  • Gut health (inflammatory bowel disease)
  • Mental health (depression and anxiety) 
  • Autoimmune Diseases 
  • Allergies
  • Obesity 
  • Dementia & Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s
  • And possibly infertility or implantation issues

There has been an association between the uterine microbiome and implantation failure so now we are wondering if the gut microbiome can impact the vaginal and uterine environment.

While studies continue to determine if there is any connection, I recommend we are proactive and heal our microbiome since it can have such an impact on overall well-being. 

There are now published studies on using low level laser therapy (photobiomodulation) to treat the gut microbiome and seeing positive clinical outcomes with Parkinson’s patients.

Check out these blogs on the microbiome

7. Change brain-altered states for mood, focus, and increased libido

More recently photobiomodulation to the brain has been used for dementia, anxiety, PTSD, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and for altered conscious states. There is even a study demonstrating increased libido which if you are reading this because you are TTC then you know how infertility can dampen your libido and lead to feeling down and depressed. I am currently adding laser for mood and libido enhancement to the fertility patients I see and although it has been a handful of people, they have expressed an increase in mood following their treatments.

The photo below is me using one of my photobiomodulation devices for mood and altered brain states that I often use with patients during their laser acupuncture sessions. Please note therapy dog is not included with our treatments 🙂

Dr. Lorne Brown receiving transcranial photobiomodulation for brain health

I am enjoying how we have adopted and incorporated photobiomodulation and laser acupuncture in our Acubalance Vancouver practice to support women and men looking to optimize their fertility and increase their chances of having a healthy baby. Those who have met me know laser for fertility has become a passion of mine and I am guilty of purchasing or renting more laser systems to add to your acupuncture treatments to make sure we leave no stone unturned when it comes to helping you reach your peak fertility.

Lorne Brown