Acupuncture is safe for pregnant women and can enhance fertility. It can lower the risks of miscarriage and regulate hormones that prevent pregnancy.
During treatment, very thin needles are inserted into acupuncture points throughout the body. Some points promote relaxation, while others encourage blood flow to the reproductive organs. To learn more about Fertility Acupuncture keep reading the article below.
Acupuncture uses thin needles to stimulate energy channels called “meridians” that flow throughout our bodies. When inserted, these needles release neurotransmitters, chemicals that send messages to the body and brain that help regulate hormone levels and function. The treatment boosts the activity of certain genes, and helps improve the production of natural hormones, which increases chances for conception.
For women trying to conceive, it is important to have adequate blood flow to the reproductive organs. Infertility Acupuncture aims to increase blood flow by stimulating specific acupuncture points that are believed to enhance fertility. Acupuncture can also reduce the levels of stress hormones, which interfere with ovulation and sperm motility.
The first step in any fertility acupuncture treatment begins with an in-depth consultation. Your acupuncturist will ask questions about your past health, as well as conduct a physical exam and review your fertility chart to determine the optimal treatment for you.
Many acupuncture points are used for fertility, including those located on the head, ears, hands, feet and lower legs. For example, a point known as Ren 7 is on the stomach just above the belly button and can be useful for regulating menstrual cycles, increasing egg quality, and improving ovulation rates. It can also help with endometrial development and prepare the uterus for embryo implantation.
Acupuncture is also thought to increase the release of b-endorphin, which promotes a feeling of wellbeing and enhances the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which impacts ovulation and egg development. Research suggests acupuncture also reduces the sympathetic nervous system’s response to stress, which can inhibit healthy hormonal production and prevent ovulation.
In one study, women with elevated FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) who received acupuncture treatments experienced more oocytes retrieved and better-quality embryos at the time of their IVF embryo transfer. Acupuncture may be able to help by lowering FSH levels and increasing the thickness of the uterine lining. Acupuncture may also boost the production of cervical mucus, a necessary medium for sperm to swim in. In addition, it can help control the ovarian cycle by enhancing communication between the brain and ovaries to promote ovulation and normal hormone production.
Reduces Stress
Acupuncture increases blood flow to the reproductive organs and can help regulate your hormones. It also improves the thickness and receptivity of your uterine lining by nourishing it with oxygen and nutrients. This can increase your chances of a successful embryo implantation during an IVF cycle. Studies have also found that acupuncture helps reduce stress. This is important because high levels of stress can disrupt your hormonal balance, impact ovulation and libido, and even decrease fertility. Acupuncture can stimulate the release of feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins and reduce common symptoms of stress including headaches, irritability, muscle tension, poor sleep and cravings.
A recent study published in BMJ Open explored the effects of acupuncture on IVF-related anxiety and found that it significantly reduced it. This is a promising finding but future double-blind RCTs with higher quality methodologies are needed to confirm this conclusion.
In the meantime, many women find relief from the anxiety they experience when trying to conceive by having regular acupuncture treatments. The same is true of men, but it’s important to consult your acupuncturist before starting treatment so that she or he can ensure that the needles are being used in the right locations.
Other research has shown that acupuncture can reduce the number of miscarriages in IVF cycles by increasing the number of healthy embryos produced. Acupuncture may also improve the receptivity of your uterine endometrial lining by promoting relaxation and increasing blood circulation to the area. This can help prevent the formation of fibroids and cysts, which interfere with fertility.
Acupuncture can improve sperm count and motility by enhancing ovulation, regulating the reproductive tract, and lowering prolactin levels, which inhibit ovulation. It can also help women with PCOS by stimulating ovulation and improving the quality of eggs. However, research is limited in this area and further research with larger study groups and more controlled settings is needed.
Increases Sperm Quality
The quality of sperm is crucial to fertility. As a result, many fertility treatment programs include treatments that aim to increase the amount and improve the quality of sperm. Acupuncture can increase sperm motility and vitality, as well as help to reduce the levels of hormones that can interfere with fertility. Additionally, studies have shown that acupuncture can increase the number of healthy sperm and improve sperm morphology.
Acupuncture can also help to reduce stress, which can lower libido and lead to decreased fertility. Studies show that acupuncture decreases cortisol, or the “stress hormone.” This helps to normalize the HPA (Hypothalamus > Pituitary> Adrenal) axis and reduce unhealthy fight or flight responses. When a woman is under significant stress, it can cause her to produce high levels of testosterone, which can cause ovulation issues and prevent the formation of a thick uterine lining.
In a small study, researchers gave forty men with sperm problems acupuncture twice a week for five weeks and compared them to a control group. Upon analysis of the semen samples, they found that acupuncture significantly increased the number of sperm without ultrastructural defects in the total ejaculate. In addition, a significant improvement was observed in the sperm morphology parameters of the acupuncture group, including acrosome position and shape, nuclear shape, axonemal pattern and shape, as well as accessory fibers.
Acupuncture can also help to balance the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone. This can improve ovulation and help women to produce eggs with better quality, which are necessary for conception. Additionally, acupuncture can enhance ovarian function, increase uterine blood flow, and reduce stress. As a result, it can be an effective and natural treatment option for male and female infertility. More research is needed, however, to further confirm the effects of acupuncture on sperm quality.
Promotes Emotional Well-Being
Acupuncture stimulates the brain to release natural endorphins and serotonin which can help reduce stress. In addition, acupuncture can be used to reduce the side effects of medications used in fertility treatment. These can include bloating, mood swings, and headaches. By decreasing these side effects, acupuncture can improve the quality of life for women undergoing fertility treatments and increase their chances of conception.
One study found that adding acupuncture to in vitro fertilization (IVF) dramatically increased pregnancy rates in patients. In this study, 80 women were given acupuncture before and after embryo transfer in addition to their standard IVF protocol. The acupuncture raised the live birth rate from 18.3 percent to 21.3 percent, which is a significant improvement. The researchers speculate that acupuncture may have improved the outcome of IVF by enhancing reproductive receptivity through regulating hormones, improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, and decreasing the risk of miscarriage.
However, this is only one study and more research needs to be done. Other studies have found that acupuncture can increase the success of IVF, as well as lower the cost and time to conceive.
In addition, acupuncture has been shown to increase sperm count and motility. It has also been used to treat a variety of conditions that can cause fertility issues, such as ovulation disorders, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), an over-active thyroid, and diabetes. In some cases, a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine can help treat these issues in conjunction with more traditional medical treatments.
Despite the benefits of acupuncture for fertility, it’s important to work with a licensed and experienced practitioner. It is also important to note that, although acupuncture needles are safe when handled properly by a trained acupuncturist, they can be dangerous if inserted into the wrong areas of the body or are used by an unlicensed acupuncturist.
Acupuncture is typically recommended for three to six months in order to achieve the most effective results. However, the frequency and duration of treatment will be determined by each patient’s individual situation. If you are trying to conceive, it’s crucial that you talk to your acupuncturist about your goals and concerns in addition to receiving a fertility evaluation.