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Acupuncture & Fertility

How does acupuncture improve fertility?

Acupuncture causes a reduction of stress hormones and a release of endorphins that produce a profound state of relation. Research has shown that women with elevated stress levels have significantly lower pregnancy rates, regular acupuncture treatments result in balance. The insertion of needles in specific acu-points in the body increases ovarian and uterine blood flow. Acupuncture supports implantation and growth of embryo during the very crucial initial stages of fetal development.

How does acupuncture improve fertility?

-Hormonal imbalances
-Anovulation
-Luteal phase defects
-Amenorrhea
-Unexplained infertility
-Endometriosis
-PCOS
-Uterine fibroids and cysts
-Irregular menstrual cycle
-Recurrent miscarriage
-Elevated FSH
-Advanced maternal Age

How does herbal therapy improve fertility?

Herbs work to nourish and strengthen the body; assimilation of critical nutrients supports a healthy pregnancy. The quality of ovarian eggs and the thickness of the uterine lining are dependent on adequate nutrition. When present in the reproductive area, inflammation creates yet another obstacle to fertility, so acupuncture prescribe specific herbs to reduce inflammation. Lastly, other select herbs are effectively used to regulate and balance hormone levels.

 

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help to improve the fertility rate in number of ways, including:

  1. Improving the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs.
  2. Regulating the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles.
  3. Increasing blood flow to the uterus and increasing the thickness of the uterine lining.
  4. Relaxing the patient and decreasing their stress, anxiety and the hormones that are secreted during stressful situations that can significantly decrease fertility.
  5. Preventing the uterus from contracting.
  6. Lessening the side effects of drugs used in IVF.
  7. Strengthening the immune system.
  8. Improving semen to create better quality and quantity of embryos.
  9. Decreasing the chances of miscarriage.

 

A German Study done in 2002 showed

That of the 80 women that underwent IVF and received acupuncture, 34 women got pregnant, a success rate of 42.5%. Of the 80 women involved in the study who received IVF without any acupuncture treatments, only 21 women (26.3%) became pregnant. More recently, an American study involving 114 women showed that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and IVF treatments became pregnant versus only 36% of the women who had IVF alone. Deeper analysis of this study revealed that, while 8% of the women in the acupuncture group miscarried, the rate of miscarriage in the IVF-only group was 20%. Furthermore, women who received acupuncture also had lower rates of ectopic pregnancies.

Embryo Transfer Day

These special Acupuncture treatments are performed at the physician’s location. The treatment is given before as well as after the transfer.

Research shows that receiving Acupuncture treatments on the day of Embryo Transfer can increase the chances of pregnancy by reducing stress, relaxing the uterus and reducing cramping.