Christine Mae Cubar; Is acupuncture for fertility really going to help me have a child?

 

Couples experiencing fertility issues are always on the hunt for better remedies and options that can help them successfully conceive a child and start a family. Many women are choosing to start families later in life, and this often requires medical intervention because natural chances to conceive declines rapidly as the age of the mother increases. By the time a woman is fourty, she is less than half as likely to conceive naturally. Techniques like in vitro fertilization are commonly used to treat infertility, but one can raise her chances to conceive using acupuncture for fertility techniques.

What is acupuncture for fertility?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical technique used to treat and cure many illnesses and diseases. A licensed professional inserts very thin and sterile needles into very specific key points on your body. These points are said to be on lines, or channels, called meridians that dictate energy flow and can cause or heal a variety of health conditions. By realigning these channels, acupuncturists claim that they can treat and sometimes cure quite a few medical conditions and improve one’s health, so it gets more and more popular to use acupuncture for fertility procedures.

These treatments are giving over a period of time, and it is recommended that patients complete a prescribed amount of acupuncture sessions, depending on the condition being treated, in order to give your body the best chance to succeed. Beginning this process months before starting infertility remedies such as in-vitro fertilization or a donor egg transfer cycle may help you prepare for the new balance of being pregnant. These sessions are often continued after implantation as well to assist the egg with implantation. An increased embryo implantation rate has been shown in mothers who completed at least four months of acupuncture for fertility treatments before implantation and continued them at least four months after embryo implantation.

How can it help me?

Acupuncture for fertility procedures may represent a solution for couples that are experiencing problems conceiving in a variety of ways. Professionals claim that they can improve egg quality, regulate menstrual cycles, treat conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, increase circulation and blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, regulate hormones and stress levels, improve sperm motility and sperm count, and help couples who are completing the in-vitro fertilization process have higher success rates.

By addressing underlying hormonal imbalances, such as an under or overactive thyroid, acupuncture may be able to create a balance that allows a successful pregnancy. Combined with herbal medicine techniques, it has been used for many years to assist with infertility therapies. However, there are some disease processes that these treatments will not help to cure, like blocked fallopian tubes. Also, acupuncture for fertility techniques may help patients undergoing in vitro fertilization by creating a thick and rich uterine lining in the womb.

Is there any proof?

Many insurance companies do cover acupuncture treatments for fertility problems and other illnesses. It is important to check with your provider and with the clinic that you decide to visit in order to understand their policies. The fact that these companies do cover procedures like this shows that this is becoming a recognized and beneficial therapies for many illnesses, including infertility.

Ancient acupuncturists have sworn that the benefits come from aligning the body’s Qi, and modern science is learning that stimulating certain points over a period of time does have an effect on the way the body produces neurotransmitters and endorphins. The boost in production and realignment of these neurotransmitters can assist couples to conceive because the treatments help the body function at optimal levels. Releasing the natural chemicals that make us feel good creates an environment where the body can better self-regulate menstrual cycles, decrease stress, and boost egg production. These optimal levels of natural hormones assist the woman going through other infertility remedies.

Studies have shown that acupuncture may reset and rebalance the hormone production in the body. This can help with treating pregnancy problems that are controlled solely by hormones. By activating certain points on the body, professionals claim that acupuncture for fertility can stimulate the body’s natural endorphins to reduce stress. Stress reduction can allow the hormones to do their work uninhibited and increase blood supply to the female reproductive organs. When the uterus and ovaries receive optimal blood supply, their function may be increased. Performing at the optimal level is good for healthy egg production, and a healthy uterus will nourish a fetus superbly.

Clinical studies at the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness have suggested that a combination of traditional medicine, herbal supplements, and acupuncture for fertility procedures give couples the highest chance of successfully conceiving. Using only acupuncture and herbal medications also gave high success rates in their studies.

What are the risks?

There are some specific acupuncture points that are off limits for a pregnant patient. No needles should be placed in the abdominal and pelvic regions after an in vitro fertilization embryo transfer, or when a woman is known to be pregnant. Using these points increases the risk of miscarriage, but a licensed and experienced professional will know about these risks and be very careful while giving these treatment options.

There are not any other known risks for receiving acupuncture for fertility therapies. These procedures are very safe, and any experienced professional will be following strict health and safety guidelines. Most states keep a record of licensed acupuncture practitioners, and you should be able to check references before committing to treatments with a particular person.

Bottom line

There have been quite a few scientific studies that show that acupuncture has a positive effect on pregnancy chances in many cases. Balancing out and increasing many hormones and neurochemicals in the brain has a positive effect on total body health and reproductive health. Reduction in stress levels increase the chance of getting pregnant,and also increase the chance of keeping the baby to term. There have been multiple research studies done on the effects of acupuncture for fertility, and these treatments have been proven to be just as effective as many man-made hormone therapies in some cases.

However, if there is a physical blockage in the fallopian tubes, or if the patient’s age is so advanced that the body is no longer producing the required hormones, then acupuncture will not have an effect on fertility and pregnancy. There are some acupuncture points that should be avoided at all costs when pregnant, and it is important to seek out an experienced and licensed professional to complete your treatments safely. This is the only real risk when undergoing these procedures. Many insurance companies even cover treatments. If you are struggling with infertility, it may be a good idea to look into acupuncture to assist you.

Thank you for reading our article. If you liked it, then you are sure to love all the other articles, case studies, and news posts made by the thousands of healthcare providers that use HospitalHippo. If you are looking for an acupuncture for fertility clinic or want to contact a provider directly, you can do so through their Provider Page. They would be able to advise you on what best suits your needs.

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