November 7, 2006 – Implantation of an embryo created in vitro is more likely to be successful if the mother has previously consulted for hypnotherapy, Israeli researchers say in the publication Fertility and Sterility1.
These results are based on the study of 185 couples followed for fertility. Eighty-nine of them were treated with hypnotherapy before the embryo was transferred to the uterus. The hypnotherapist then asked the woman to focus on a very pleasant experience, in addition to going with direct and indirect suggestions. The others served as a control group.
Women treated with hypnotherapy obtained significantly better results. Of the 89 women who belonged to this group, 52 became pregnant, a success rate of 58.4%, compared to only 29 pregnancies – a success rate of just 30% – in the control group.
The age of the women and the causes of infertility were comparable for the two groups, but the women who did not receive hypnotherapy were infertile, on average, for a longer period of time than the others.
The researchers say they took into account all the factors that might have impacted the higher pregnancy rate in the hypnosis group. Their conclusion: hypnotherapy is the only one responsible for the higher success rate.
“We believe that hypnotherapy decreases stress and thereby reduces uterine activity, and improves the interaction between the embryo and the uterus, while increasing the chances of implantation of the embryo,” write- they in conclusion to their study.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
1. Levitas E, Parmet A, et al. Impact of hypnosis during embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a case-control study, Fertily and Sterility, 2006 May; 85 (5): 1404-8.
