Fertility Acupuncture – How Acupuncture Can Help With Fertility

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that treats the whole person. This means it can be helpful to address the emotional challenges of infertility, too.

Acupuncture needles stimulate specific points that encourage the release of neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers regulate the release of hormones and control other bodily functions.

We don’t know exactly how acupuncture works, but it seems to unlock blocked energy flows and trigger the release of certain biochemicals. It also reduces stress symptoms and lowers cortisol levels, which can affect fertility rates. In addition, a growing body of research shows that acupuncture improves blood flow to the reproductive organs. This may help increase the chances of a successful embryo implantation.

Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra-thin needles into specific points on the body, called meridians. These energy channels run throughout our entire body, connecting the exterior and interior of our bodies. Acupuncture stimulates these meridians to balance the body’s natural hormone production and reestablish normal hormonal interactions to encourage ovulation and promote pregnancy.

Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve fertility in women suffering from PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), irregular periods, low or nonexistent ovulation, and endometriosis. Acupuncture can also help women overcome fertility problems caused by an under-functioning thyroid or over-functioning thyroid (Hyperthyroidism).

For men, acupuncture has been found to improve sperm counts and motility and can even increase IVF fertilisation rates. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as IVF, or on its own.

In one study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, researchers discovered that a combination of IVF treatment with acupuncture dramatically increased pregnancy rates. This is likely because acupuncture can boost the effects of IVF treatments by ensuring that the egg and sperm are in top health. It also can decrease the risk of miscarriage during early pregnancy by lowering stress levels and reducing uterine fibroids, polyps and cysts. Acupuncture can also help reduce the side effects of IVF medications, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue and low platelet count. It’s important to keep your fertility specialist informed about any intention of using acupuncture during IVF treatment, as this can help them give you the best possible care and outcomes. This is why it’s so important to find an experienced and qualified acupuncturist who specialises in fertility issues.

Increased Sperm Count

Research has shown that acupuncture increases sperm count and motility in men with severe oligoasthenozoospermia. Acupuncture also helps with implantation of an embryo, which is critical for fertility. The uterus needs good blood flow to support the embryo and a properly functioning immune system to avoid rejecting it. Acupuncture has been proven to successfully increase the amount of blood flow to the uterus, and reduce cortisol levels which is an important stress hormone that negatively impacts the reproductive system.

Acupuncture can improve sperm quality by helping with the production of testosterone and other essential metabolites needed to produce and fertilize an egg. It can also improve a man’s overall health by improving digestion and eliminating toxins. Acupuncture is a safe, non-toxic alternative to many medications used in treating fertility issues. It’s important to work with a licensed acupuncturist who has experience working with couples trying to conceive. Look for a doctor who has several years of training and practice behind them, and is affiliated with a medical center.

In one clinical trial, a patient with oligoasthenozoospermia was treated with acupuncture and testosterone therapy. The results of the study showed that sperm concentration and total motility increased significantly in ejaculate samples after treatment. In addition, the average percentage of sperm with a normal acrosome shape was improved from 29.5% before treatment to 38.5% after acupuncture, while the average percentage of sperm with normal nuclear shape and axonemal pattern also significantly improved.

Other studies have demonstrated that acupuncture increases the number of egg follicles available for fertilization in women undergoing IVF, and may improve the chances of successful implantation after an embryo has been implanted. Acupuncture can also improve the lining of the uterus by increasing blood supply to the area, and decreasing inflammation.

There are many things a woman can do to improve sperm count and fertility, including eating a healthy diet that is low in fried foods, refined sugars, and added fats. Additionally, a woman can try to exercise more often and reduce stress. While not everyone will find that acupuncture is effective for them, it’s always worth a shot. It’s important to discuss all options with your reproductive endocrinologist, and be sure to use an acupuncturist who uses single-use, sterilized needles.

Reduced Stress

Managing stress is an important aspect of fertility treatment. Chronic stress increases the risk of miscarriage, affects ovulation and interferes with the hormones that regulate it. Acupuncture can help reduce the underlying causes of stress by triggering the body’s natural relaxation response. This helps to boost fertility by improving circulation, thickening the uterine lining, normalizing ovarian function, regulating hormones and boosting immunity.

Acupuncture also provides a safe and effective tool for reducing anxiety associated with fertility treatments. A recent study published in Fertility and Sterility found that women who underwent acupuncture sessions prior to embryo transfer had significantly lower levels of perceived stress compared with those who did not receive acupuncture before their procedure. This is because acupuncture stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that decrease the nervous system’s stress response.

This is a big benefit for couples who are going through the emotional, physical and financial challenges of infertility treatment. In fact, many patients report that their acupuncturist was the best support they had during their IVF journey.

In addition to helping you relax, acupuncture can also alleviate some of the most common side effects of IVF medications such as back pain, nausea and fatigue. Acupuncture can also treat hormonal imbalances that may occur with certain fertility treatments such as ovulation induction, oocyte retrieval and intrauterine insemination.

Acupuncture has also been shown to improve the quality of sperm by promoting testosterone excretion, as well as increase sperm motility. Acupuncture can also be used to treat men’s health issues such as oligospermia and low sperm count.

During the initial consultation, our acupuncturists will review your complete medical history and discuss the root cause of your fertility problems. They will also recommend a customized treatment plan that may include dietary and lifestyle recommendations, herbal therapies and/or other clinical interventions.

Studies suggest that acupuncture increases fertility rates by addressing the root causes of infertility, reducing the need for fertility medications or invasive procedures. Acupuncture can help you conceive naturally by regulating your hormones, promoting ovulation, reducing stress, and relieving the symptoms of common fertility disorders such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), uterine fibroids, endometriosis and anemia.

Pre-Transfer Acupuncture

During a fertility acupuncture session, the practitioner will insert small, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on the body. Depending on the person, a feeling of energy or heaviness may be felt at the point of insertion. Many people describe this sensation as relaxing and calming. It’s important to have a qualified acupuncturist use clean, single-use needles for your treatment, and most practitioners will use an alcohol swab to sterilize each needle before using it on you.

Acupuncture for fertility helps the body regulate hormones and improves ovulation by promoting blood flow to the uterus. It also reduces stress and increases sperm count. Acupuncture can help with a number of conditions that cause infertility, including ovulatory complications such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an irregular menstrual cycle or loss of periods, and hormonal disorders like an over-active or under-active thyroid or diabetes.

In addition to helping the body conceive, acupuncture can also enhance the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Several studies have shown that patients who undergo a short acupuncture treatment prior to and on the day of embryo transfer have an increased chance of successful implantation.

These sessions are designed to promote a healthy uterine lining and help the cervix relax for the procedure, which can be stressful. Acupuncture also boosts circulation, and encourages the uterus to thicken its lining for successful implantation.

Some acupuncture points stimulate the ovaries, while others increase blood flow to the uterus. Specifically, SP8 and Liver 3 are great for reducing uterine cramping during IVF, as well as for minimizing the side effects of the medications used to stimulate the ovaries (like bloating).

Acupuncture can help infertile couples get pregnant naturally and improve overall wellbeing. However, it’s important to note that a few sessions of fertility acupuncture aren’t enough to treat more serious conditions that can lead to infertility. If you’re struggling with infertility, consult your doctor for the right treatment for you. And remember, you don’t have to deal with this struggle on your own – we are here to support you every step of the way!