Acupuncture and Infertility: Eastern Practice Appears to Hold Promise
What is Acupuncture?
While acupuncture originated centuries ago in Asia, it is only recently that the practice has begun to gain acceptance by western medical practitioners. Acupuncture involves inserting and sometimes manipulating very thin needles into very specific points in the body. While many advocates claim that acupuncture can relieve almost any medical condition, it is now commonly accepted that acupuncture can at least temporarily relieve pain and even regulate blood pressure by stimulating the central nervous system. These effects are achieved because the use of acupuncture causes the body to release endorphins which inhibit pain and gives the body the feeling of wellness. Endorphins may also release certain neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which some say encourage the body to heal itself.
What are Some of Acupuncture’s Uses in Fertility Treatment?
Because acupuncture appears to increase blood flow to vital organs, it may help in the regulation of hormone levels, and even improve ovarian and follicular function. Because blood flow is critical for the creation of a thick, rich lining for the endometrium where a fertilized egg must implant, it may also help to increase the chances of implantation and reduce the risk of early pregnancy loss. For these reasons, it is not unrealistic to assume (and a few studies even seem to suggest) that acupuncture may improve the success rate of medical interventions such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). As a result, an increasing number of fertility centers have begun to offer it as an option as part of an IVF treatment protocol.
Another potential application for acupuncture in treating fertility problems is the special case of spasmed fallopian tubes. Fallopian tubes must remain open to permit an egg to travel past the cervix where it can be either inseminated or harvested. Although completely blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture, spasmed tubes are often de-spasmed (and therefore opened up) with acupuncture.
Best Practices
If you plan to use acupuncture as part of your overall treatment plan, whether you are relying on herbal remedies or pursuing technical procedures like IVF, it’s generally accepted that it is better to do more than less. Consider beginning treatment three to four months before a medical procedure like artificial insemination or (IVF). Then, continue treatments both before and after insemination or embryo transfer. It seems that many women benefit from a long-term commitment to acupuncture during fertility treatments as it is an excellent stress-reducer, regardless of any other potential benefits, and stress can interfere with a woman’s ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. However, do be sure to use an acupunturist with experience treating fertility so that inadvertent mistakes in the placement of the needles (rare as they may be) do not contribute to a miscarriage.
Although there is no clinical evidence that supports the notion that acupuncture or herbal medicines can, by themselves, reverse infertility, these treatments do seem to increase success rates when used as an adjunct to traditional medical interventions.
Yes, Anna! I Absolutely Want to Learn How to Overcome my Infertility!
Help Me Get Pregnant!
Sign me up for your FREE Secrets of Infertility mini-course today!
