Can Acupuncture Help Infertility Issues

Spring is finally in the air! With all of the season’s hype about cute baby animals, some of you might be starting to feel a baby fever of your own. If you’ve been trying to conceive and haven’t been successful, you might be feeling a little disheartened in your attempts at venturing into parenthood. We say, Don’t!  Instead,  “Wonder How Can Acupuncture Help Infertility?”  If you’re still hoping to be holding a cooing baby by next spring, feel encouraged. Acupuncture possesses a significant link to improving fertility and many modern, Western women are now turning to the ancient Chinese practice to help them conceive.

Overview of how it works

Relatively affordable and nontoxic, acupuncture holds the potential of being a good, alternative method to improving fertility.  Along with treating other health concerns relating to pregnancy and postpartum care, acupuncture has been used to aid fertility issues.  It has a history of over 2,000 years of success. Just as is the case in other forms of acupuncture healing, acupuncture needling helps to stimulate and correct energy flow.  It is done in a way that encourages healing and harmonization in the body.  In the case of fertility, activating certain points in the body helps to support the reproductive organs and their functions.   Those functions include the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycles. And it’s done in a way that better prepares the body for conception and pregnancy.

Other conditions that impede fertility

Not only can acupuncture beneficiate fertility by preparing the body for conception, treatment can also help improve other health conditions that might be impeding fertility. According to a study done by the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, acupuncture can aid in the following physiological issues relating to fertility:

1. Lowering stress hormones.
2. Increasing blood flow to the uterus.
3. Increasing the production of endorphins, which helps to release other hormones that regulate reproduction.
4. Stimulating the plasma levels of fertility hormones.
5. Normalizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
6. Regulating the menstrual cycle.
7. Alleviating symptoms relating to the hormonal imbalance polycystic ovarian syndrome.
8. Strengthening the immune system, preventing illness that may reduce chances of fertility.
9. Alleviating symptoms relating to thyroid problems.

Other Benefits to the Pregnancy Process

Acupuncture treatments also have other accompanying benefits that relate to fertility and conceiving. Due to no adverse side effects for pregnant women, acupuncture is a safe therapy before and during pregnancy. Acupuncture is significantly less expensive than in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.  And it can also be used to improve fertility in both men and women. Once expecting, acupuncture can help to prevent miscarriage and treat ailments commonly experienced during pregnancy.   Ailments such as morning sickness, to promote a healthy, calm pregnancy.

Acupuncture supports IVF

Incorporating acupuncture to improve fertility has been especially successful when coupled with traditional, Western fertility treatments such as IVF. Studies have even shown that acupuncture can be used to successfully boost the effectiveness of certain Western fertility treatments. Clinical studies have shown a 30-65% increase of success in IVF pregnancies when women received acupuncture immediately before and after the procedure. In one 2002 German study, clinicians observed 160 women who were receiving IVF.  Half of the women, who received additional acupuncture treatments, experienced significantly higher pregnancy rates than those who didn’t receive acupuncture.

So if you’re hoping to improve your chances of conceiving, consider getting acupuncture treatments. Since fertility acupuncture does not grant you instant gratification, and often, a commitment of several treatments is necessary to effectively regulate your menstrual cycle, correct energy imbalances and health concerns, and to calm stress. However, with time, acupuncture can help you meet your hopes and dreams of growing your family. Call today to schedule a consultation, and see what RiverWest Acupuncture in Portland, OR can do to help you.