Alternative treatments in reproductive medicine: much ado about nothing: Acupuncture--a method of treatment in reproductive medicine: lack of evidence of an effect does not equal evidence of the lack of an effect

Abstract

The increasing popularity of alternative treatments-methods of treatment that are not generally established in Western medicine-demands a serious debate about scientific documentation, efficacy and safety. It has been argued that there is no alternative medicine. There is only scientifically proven, evidence-based medicine supported by solid data, and we agree. Different methods of treatment, referred to as alternative treatments, are used by millions of patients every day which generates billions of dollars in health care expenditure each year. Therefore, it is important that physicians become more knowledgeable about different methods of treatment and increase their understanding of the possible benefits and limitations of each therapy. This article is intended to illustrate acupuncture in reproductive medicine today, as an example of a method of treatment that has become more established in Western medicine over the last decade. Discussed are the scientific documentation and aspects of acupuncture research, the physiological basis for the use of acupuncture, and evidence for the use of acupuncture in reproductive medicine. We are well aware that there are few well-designed papers on the effectiveness of different treatments in this field. However, we need to adhere to these principles, as we hope, do the readers of the present debate article.