Acupuncture for fertility has been helping couples achieve a healthy pregnancy for thousands of years.
Any couple struggling to conceive knows the heart ache of infertility. Infertility is defined as having regular, unprotected sex after one year that does not result in the woman becoming pregnant. Many people are open to trying anything that could increase their chances of having a baby after many attempts trying to conceive. The good news is that Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are very well versed in boosting fertility outcomes.
In the United States, in the past five years, Acupuncture has been getting much attention regarding infertility and how many couples can benefit. This is probably because 10 percent of reproductive age couples in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant. Even though some couples may find a reason or reasons with their reproductive lab work that may pinpoint the factors causing the infertility, some may not find anything deemed “abnormal.” Either way, Chinese medicine and Acupuncture are able to address any functional or non-functional reasons that may be causing infertility. According to Chinese medicine theory, there is no such diagnosis as “infertility.” The medicine aims to make the couple as healthy as possible in order to achieve a healthy conception. Therefore, a woman or couple may work with a practitioner for many months to achieve optimal health for conception to occur.
Acupuncture alone can help increase blood flow to the uterus as well as help with hormone functioning that may be hindering a successful pregnancy. This is because according to Chinese medicine theory, the better the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, the better the chances for pregnancy.
Acupuncture also helps boost feel good hormones such as beta- endorphins, which are associated with improving levels of follicle-stimulating hormones as well as luteinizing hormones, which are important to fertility. Acupuncture is also believed to treat any thyroid conditions (both underactive and overactive thyroid), which may cause infertility.
The use of Chinese herbs is also common for the treatment of infertility. Chinese herbal medicine is used to help further correct any hormonal and or ovulatory cycle difficulties in women in order to boost fertility outcomes.
Acupuncture and IVF
Acupuncture with IVF is reliable, safe, and very effective treatment for infertility. Women can undergo this type of treatment after or before an embryo transfer for better results. It is recommended that a woman receives Acupuncture and or combination of Chinese herbal medicine for 3-4 months to help her prepare for IVF therapy treatment. Additionally Acupuncture can be used as a stand alone adjunct therapy while the woman is undergoing IVF treatment.
Acupuncture for Male Infertility
Research has also shown that acupuncture can also boost fertility in men. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), male infertility can be the cause of about 30 percent of the time in couples who experience infertility. Infertility in men can be caused by many different factors but is typically first evaluated by a semen analysis. A slightly abnormal semen analysis does not mean that that a man is necessarily infertile or “sterile.” Instead, a semen analysis is used to determine if there are any factors that might be contributing to infertility.
Sources and References:
“Reproductive Health” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov Web. 11 Jan 2014.
“Infertility and Acupuncture.” American Pregnancy Association. www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/acupucture.htm Web. 11 Jan 2014.
