Laser Medicine, London, is a Harley Street Fertility Clinic that specialises in the application of the best light for fertility and conception. We have worked with many patients over several years, using Class 3b and Class 4 therapeutic laser clinical equipment. We work in partnership with leading IVF clinics such as Serum in Greece, who also study the best red light therapy for fertility and conception.
Light therapy is also widely referred to as Low Level Laser Therapy, Red Light Therapy and Photobiomodulation Therapy. We are often asked if the many home use LED devices available to purchase, which emit infrared or near infrared wavelengths, are suitable and effective to help improve the quality of eggs and sperm for conception and fertility. Our opinion is that they are not.
This article discusses why home use Class 1 LED devices do not provide the best light for fertility and conception, particularly for those who need to improve egg quality. This is because even though a home use device may contain the correct wavelengths for photobiomodulation (between 600nm and 1,000nm), the incredibly low power output of a Class 1 laser device (or LED), is unlikely to deliver enough energy to empower the reproductive organs effectively. Furthermore there are no clinical trials to support the use of LED red light for conception and fertility. Clinical trials for fertility use Class 3 and Class 4 laser (not LED).
Class 3b Laser and therapeutic Class 4 Laser, is the best red light therapy for fertility and conception, and because Class 3b and 4 Laser is hazardous if brought into contact with the eyes, it can only be used within a clinical setting by qualified practitioners. Suitable laser equipment of this kind runs into several if not many thousands of pounds to purchase, rather than a few hundred pounds for a home use red light LED machine. All previous clinical studies involving low level laser and fertility have been carried out with Class 3b and therapeutic Class 4 laser.
The following article discusses:
- The best red (IR) and near infrared (NIR) wavelengths and the optimum power output and dosage of laser therapy for fertility and conception.
- The type of laser equipment and protocols used in several clinical studies carried out in Japan, Denmark, and Norway.
- The protocols developed at Laser Medicine in London to improve egg quality and fertility for women and men, and our ongoing work with IVF clinics around the world.
Please visit our Services page to find out about a Laser Medicine course of treatments in Low Level Laser for Fertility.
Clinical studies in red light therapy for fertility
Laser Therapy, also known as Light Therapy or Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) proves successful in various clinics worldwide to address the issues of improving egg quality for IVF, slow down the ageing process and significantly improve fertility in women (and men). Success rates in Denmark and Norway proved as high as 65% for patients who failed to fall pregnant many times before using various methods of trying to conceive (TTC). However none of these studies used a home use Class 1 red light device. Instead they used clinical grade Class 3b and Class 4 Laser equipment calibrated to the highest power output possible for a non-thermal laser device.
The protocol used in the Denmark / Norway study referred to above was carried out with GigaLaser produced by Powermedic which is a Class 3b Laser device available to purchase at approximately $50,000.
The total dose per treatment for women, was 20,000 Joules delivered over the entire abdominal area (15,000 Joules of near infrared laser light at 808nm, plus 5,000 Joules of red LED at 660nm). It would be impossible to achieve this kind of power from an LED device.
The protocol used for men was applied with a different Class 3b laser device, designed to treat smaller areas (the PowerLaser Pro500 at a retail cost of around $4,000). The total dose of red light therapy for fertility was 10 Joules per testicle with near infrared laser light at 808 nm).
Previous laboratory studies proving the effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy for Fertility were carried out in Japan between 1996 and 2012. Again a clinical Class 3b laser with a continuous wave of light was used, with a power output higher than could possibly be emitted by a home use red light LED device.
The Japanese protocol involved the application of light to nerves at the back of the neck in order to enhance mitochondrial activity and ATP production throughout the body, increase blood flow and blood quality, reduce oxidative damage, and to increase the energetic value of a developing embryo in early stages. Light was applied at a power of 60 mW in continuous wave at a nominal 830nm. The incident irradiance was 1.2 W/cm2, and the irradiation time per point was 15 seconds, giving a fluence of 18 J/cm2/point.
At Laser Medicine we work within industry guidelines and best practice, and would not apply light during pregnancy. It is also very important to not apply light to the thyroid gland in the case of an overactive thyroid or Grave’s Disease.
We recommend the Photizo red light LED home use device, which people can use to improve their general health and treatment areas of pain and inflammation, however we could never guarantee that a Photizo would deliver an effective dose to penetrate the reproductive system and achieve the desired effect.
Please visit our Services page to find out about a Laser Medicine course of treatments in Low Level Laser for Fertility.
The best light for fertility to improve egg and sperm quality
At the Laser Medicine Harley Street fertility clinic, we continue to monitor and celebrate the positive effects of photobiomodulation for reproductive health and fertility.
The optimum age for promoting fertilisation via LLLT is for women in the mature age group of 35-50, because reproductive cells are more likely to lack cellular energy from the ageing process.
We work with each patient to improve egg quality for IVF and optimise their overall health. We use recognised standard fertility LLLT / light therapy protocols, in conjunction with many other PBMT protocols to maximise the overall health and efficiency of the individual patient, and production of a healthy embryo. The mechanisms and protocols we use are designed to help rejuvenate eggs and sperm motility, maximise egg quality potential, to prepare the body for fertilisation, and for the development of a healthy embryo leading to a full-term pregnancy.
Our equipment and fertility protocols:
We work with Omega Laser Systems XP Clinic Medical Class 3b Laser, and K Laser Class 4 Therapeutic Laser, which provide a range of wavelengths between 600nm and 1000nm.
A 820nm at 200 mW laser with a power density of 1.60 W/cm2 is used to deliver energy through the abdominal tissue, and in certain cases internally at the cervix. A four diode Class 4 laser with wavelengths at 660nm, 800nm, 905nm, and 970nm, with a power density of 10 W/cm2 is also used to apply light through the neck, secondary lymph organs and to the reproductive system. We assess each patient individually and tailor our protocols accordingly.
A series of Low Level Laser Treatment is recommended during the lead up to a fertilisation, regardless of whether fertilisation is to be achieved via natural or ART/IVF methods. The best light for fertility prepares the body and reproductive organs, and promotes optimum conditions for conception to take place. The overall general health and age of a patient determines the frequency of treatment, which is normally around 2-3 treatments every 6 weeks. During a period of trying to conceive (either via natural or IVF methods), we base our protocols around a schedule of 6 treatments over a period of 2 weeks from Day 1 to Day 14 of the cycle, and if conception does not take place, to repeat the following month.
When we would recommend a home use class 1 laser device to our patients.
The most widely used application of class 1 home use laser devices is for pain and inflammation and there are many red light appliances that can help. The B Cure Laser, for example, has carried out many of its own clinical trials is used by many people to help resolve acute and chronic pain, orthopaedic conditions, inflammation, sports injuries and wounds. You cannot overdo any kind of treatment with one these devices, yet they can be effective for managing pain and inflammation. Please click here for pricing options and more information.
About Laser Medicine
Laser Medicine is a member of the following professional bodies:
- British Medical Laser Association (BMLA).
- Complementary Medical Association (CMA).
For more information on the Laser Medicine London, Harley Street Fertility Clinic and our Laser Therapy for Fertility Services.
To talk to us directly and discuss how PBMT or Low Level Laser may be suitable for you, please Contact Us.
