Fertility Acupuncture for Women
Nearly one in every six couples struggle to conceive naturally. After age 39 this number increases to over 50%.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) claims that couples who have not been able to achieve pregnancy after two years of unprotected sexual intercourse are classified as having fertility issues. In roughly 20% of the cases the couples are labelled as having 'unexplained infertility' whereby no cause can be identified.
Reduced fertility for women can be due to age, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fallopian tube disease, ovulatory disorders, polyps, fibroids and cysts.
Acupuncture has a long history of benefiting fertility in many ways:
- regulates your menstrual cycle, blood circulation and balances hormone levels
- improves ovarian function and thickness of uterine wall lining
- reduces the impact of stress and anxiety
- reduces the likelihood of miscarriage
- enhances fertility by improving sperm parameters (semen volume, sperm count, morphology, motility)
- aids relaxation
- enhances the immune system
- lessens side effects of fertility medication
Studies show that acupuncture can regulate the menstrual cycle. Women with irregular menstrual cycles may have fertility issues because irregularity makes it diffucult to predict if and when they are ovulating. A full Chinese medicine diagnosis will involve questioning about the length and predictability of your menstrual cycle, the volume of menstruation, the colour of menstrual blood, the timing, nature and location of the pain.
A healthy blood supply to the uterus is crucial for fertility. Blood creates the endometrium and in order for pregnancy to develop the embryo must securely implant in the endometrium. However if the endometrium is not thick enough it is difficult for an egg to implant.
Stress can have a huge impact on fertility as stress can affect ovulation, sexual activity and sperm count. Acupuncture can help you feel relaxed and calm by balancing the autonomic nervous system and triggering the release of endorphins.
How many treatments do I need?
Weekly treatment is ideal as this would allow me to work with each phase of the menstrual cycle. On our first appointment we will go through your general state of health, medical history as well as test results. Then I will conduct a Chinese medical diagnosis to develop a suitable treatment plan for you.
Whether you have had acupuncture before or not, for each cycle of IVF or IUI, fertility acupuncture would be really helpful around the time of embryo implantation. In order to give the process a better chance of success, acupuncture is recommended on the day of transfer, but also afterwards, also to mitigate the abdominal discomfort associated with the physical procedures and medication.
