Acupuncture For Infertility

Falling pregnant isn't always easy. Only about a third of couples get pregnant on their first try. About 85 per cent of women can get pregnant within a year. The other 15 per cent of couples struggle with their fertility. If you're having fertility problems, you're not alone. It affects between one in six and one in four teams at some point. Acupuncture for infertility could be the answer.

Female infertility is a complex issue. It can affect your body and your emotions. Scientists have developed a variety of treatments to improve infertility, but there are no guarantees. Maybe this is why women are increasingly turning to acupuncture to improve their odds. 

The History of Acupuncture 

Early people used sharp tools to clean wounds as long as 3,000 years ago. However, the use of acupuncture dates back to the Stone Age. Although it has a long tradition in ancient Chinese medicine, there is evidence that other older adults used it, too. Those people include Indians, Europeans and South American peoples. The “Ice Man,” who died around 3300 BC, was found with tattoos that correspond with acupuncture meridians. 

Acupuncture is often working with other complementary therapies, such as diet, herbal treatments and massage. By the 15th century, the practice of acupuncture had become well-established in Chinese medicine. By the 20th century, the rest of the world started to sit up and pay attention. 

The Importance of Qi 

Qi, pronounced “chee,” refers to life energy. Qi flows through 12 channels in your body called meridians. Each meridian represents particular functions, including reproduction. The channels allow energy to flow freely throughout the body and to all major systems. Like blood vessels, energy flow can become blocked over time. Unlike blood vessels, meridians are secured not by plaque but by toxins. When toxins build up, qi becomes blocked. 

Blocked qi leads to imbalanced body systems and functions. Over time, that can lead to pain, poor health and disease. It can also cause infertility. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can open the meridians again by opening one or more of the 365 openings in the channels. Acupuncture has the added benefit of stimulating your endocrine, immune and nervous systems. Therefore, the benefits translate to healthier sleep, less pain and less stress. 

Female Infertility and Acupuncture Treatment 

Women undergoing infertility treatment can benefit from acupuncture. Many modern Australian women are dealing with depression, anxiety, poor eating habits, and overwork. As a result, all of that can interfere with qi flow, but it can also increase the risk of fertility problems. 

Acupuncture can help boost fertility by: 

• Increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
• Inducing ovulation
• Regulating hormones
• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Regulating the menstrual cycle

Acupuncture has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, but it can offer many benefits for modern people, too. Researcher E. Stener Victorin determined that acupuncture can significantly improve pregnancy rates and increase the chances of successful pregnancy outcomes. Stener Victorin also found that it is an excellent added treatment for PCOS and other metabolic problems. 

IVF Treatments and Acupuncture 

If you want to improve your odds of getting and staying pregnant, acupuncture might be the way to do it. You can begin treatments before the embryo transfer and continue as needed after to support a healthy pregnancy if you are undergoing IVF. Also, if you are looking to promote natural pregnancy, acupuncture for infertility could offer a better chance of fertility. Always talk to your fertility specialist before starting any new or alternative treatment. 

You can try acupuncture and Chinese medicine when you are trying to conceive or when you are undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF. During an IVF cycle, an egg is removed and fertilised outside the body. Once a viable embryo is obtained, it is transferred back to the uterus. This procedure requires a precise point in the menstrual cycle. 

When To Begin Acupuncture For Infertility Treatment

Women undergoing IVF treatments can begin acupuncture therapy before eggs retrieval. According to some studies, acupuncture can boost fertility up to 65 per cent. As an IVF support, acupuncture thickens the uterine lining to improve the nourishment of the developing embryo. 

Treatments can continue safely even after embryo transfer. Acupuncture has a direct link to improved pregnancy outcomes. According to research, it almost doubles the pregnancy rate and odds of live birth after fertility treatment. 

Most experts suggest weekly treatments for up to 12 weeks to improve your health and increase the chances of falling pregnant. 

Male Infertility and Acupuncture 

Women aren’t the only ones with blocked qi: Men can also suffer. For men, acupuncture is most beneficial before conception. You can find more information about male fertility here.

It can improve their infertility in several ways, including: 

• Boosting energy 
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Acne facial clearing
• Improving heart health 
• Lowering stress 
• Increasing sperm count 
• Improving sperm quality 
• Stimulating sperm motility 

Trying acupuncture before conceiving or undergoing IVF could give men and their partners the extra edge needed to create a viable embryo. 

Acupuncture and infertility 

When women are undergoing fertility treatments, stress can interfere with their Qi. By keeping the meridians open, reducing stress and increasing blood flow to the uterus, acupuncture offers critical IVF support. 

Traditional Chinese medicine can help fall pregnant when used: 

• During the menstrual cycle;
• During ovulation; and
• During implantation.

When used together with an IVF cycle, our acupuncture programme should start at least 6 to 8 weeks before an embryo transfer as a Medibank preferred provider. Weekly treatment can be beneficial for about 12 weeks after the transfer to improve the pregnancy rate and the odds of live birth.