FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE: A NATURAL AND HOLISTIC ALTERNATIVE

Acupuncture can aid Fertility
As early as 3,000 years ago, doctors of TCM discussed the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive disorders and infertility – for both men and women.

These ancient physicians would use the knowledge from thousands of years of natural, holistic therapies such as Acupuncture, Qi Qong, Tai Qi, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and lifestyle and dietary counseling to restore the natural state of internal harmony that results in fertility and conception.

IVF and IUI: Fertility Acupuncture a Complementary Fertility Therapy

Fertility acupuncture has been shown to improve fertility rates when used as a complementary therapy for ART cycles for IVF, IUI and other ART protocols.

Fertility acupuncture may benefit those undergoing IVF and other ART treatments by lessening many unwanted side effects, mitigating some negative effects of IVF stimulation, and enhancing implantation and pregnancy rates.

Researchers have confirmed the following benefits:

  1. Regulation of menstrual cycle.
  2. Improved sperm count and motility.
  3. Reduced stress and anxiety associated with infertility.
  4. Regulation of hormone and endocrine systems
  5. Improved blood flow in the uterus and ovaries thereby increasing ovarian sensitivity to gonadotropins and the an improved uterine lining for implantation.
  6. Decreased chance of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates.
  7. Increased chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Fertility treatments vary from person to person, but are usually scheduled for at least three consecutive cycles (twelve weeks). Treatments can include acupuncture, customized herbal therapy, stress reduction and dietary counseling. Treatments work alone but are an excellent addition to any Western intervention.

Acupuncture Increases IVF Success by 65%

Women undergoing IVF were 65 percent more likely to become pregnant when they combined the procedure with acupuncture. (British Medical Journal, February 2008)

The research was carried out by scientists from the University of Maryland in the United States and the VU University of Amsterdam in Holland. It is thought that acupuncture stimulates the neurotransmitters that trigger the production of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, which controls the menstrual cycle and ovulation.

Acupuncture is also thought to stimulate blood flow to the uterus and boost the production of endogenous opioids, inducing the body to relax. Researchers claim that because acupuncture costs only about $75 per session compared to $6000 to $10,000 per cycle for IVF, it would be a cost effective, safe and efficient way of boosting success rates in fertility treatment.

Acupuncture Improves Sperm Quality

Acupuncture helped infertile men by improving sperm quality in their semen. (July 2005, Journal Fertility and Sterility)

In the research project, 28 men received acupuncture in addition to traditional infertility treatments, while another 12 men received only the traditional treatments. All of the men were diagnosed with infertility of unknown origin.

Acupuncture was associated with fewer structural defects in the sperm of men who received acupuncture, although it had no effect on sperm immaturity or premature death.

OTHER STUDIES: