Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some causes of infertility. Not all women however respond to acupuncture alone, for example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address tubal adhesions, which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. However, in this situation, 

A combination of acupuncture  and herbal medicine might be useful for those women in helping them to conceive and an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect of improved ovarian and follicular function.

 Additionally, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

Acupuncture is often helpful where conventional medicine is not and helps as many as 80 percent of people

The American Pregnancy Association suggests that acupuncture can be an effective way to address many of the problems causing infertility, for example it can alleviate an under-functioning thyroid (hypothyroidism) or an over-functioning thyroid (hyperthyroidism). A malfunctioning thyroid can affect ovulation, which in turn can impede a woman’s ability to become pregnant.

Tubal issues can also be treated with acupuncture. Other conditions, such as tubal adhesions which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease, may also be addressed.

The Fertility issues that can be addressed by acupuncture in combination with other treatments include:

Elevated follicle-stimulating hormone

Repeated pregnancy loss

Unexplained or idiopathic infertility

Luteal phase defect

Hyperprolactinemia, when not caused by a prolactinoma

Polycystic ovarian syndrome with anovulatory cycles

Proper lifestyle and nutrition are very important in achieving balance and wellness. Once this has been achieved, conception is far more likely.

Acupuncture requires a time commitment to allow your body to re-balance it's systems.

Should there be menstrual problems, the treatment must progress until a minimum of three normal cycles are achieved. After that, you must allow yourself a minimum of six months, preferably 18 months, to get pregnant.

Typically, a woman who uses acupuncture to enhance her chances of becoming pregnant will start a series of treatments three or four months before attempting to conceive. Many women attempt to conceive naturally. Assisted Reproductive Therapies (ART) such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination, donor egg transfer can also be used when necessary.

After pregnancy occurs, acupuncture usually continues through the 12th week in order to address pregnancy discomforts such as morning sickness, nausea, headaches, fatigue, and anxiety about miscarriages.

Please call me for information on traditional medicine and acupuncture treatment for infertility or other problems.

 

Good candidates for trying medical acupuncture are people who have a functional, rather than a structural reason for infertility (for example, damaged fallopian tubes are structural). Men or women with functional infertility would be encouraged to try acupuncture in addition to their standard medical treatment. Generally speaking, around 10 visits with a licensed acupuncture provider will let you determine if it can be of help to you.

Along this same line, Eca recommends Chinese herbs in conjunction with acupuncture. In traditional Chinese medicine, the practitioner always combines herbs in order to produce a certain effect. There are many combinations of Chinese herbs that have been lauded as improving fertility in both males and females. She does caution, however, that it’s best to tailor the herbal recipe to the individual, rather than to the condition.

Acupuncture is similar to physical therapy in that it is a process-oriented method of medical intervention. It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer. In a study by Stener-Victorin from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medical interventions. However, conception does sometimes occur when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions.

There are minimal risks when using acupuncture for fertility treatment. Acupuncture is not contraindicated for anyone, regardless of their pathology or what medications they are taking.