Acupuncture for Fertility

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Infertility affects many couples, causing significant emotional distress. More patients are turning to acupuncture for its potential to improve reproductive outcomes. Here’s why.

• Regulation of Hormonal Balance: Acupuncture has been shown to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, a complex interplay of hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and reproductive functions. By stimulating specific acupoints, acupuncture can help regulate hormone levels, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estrogen. Balancing these hormones is crucial for optimizing fertility and increasing the chances of successful conception.

• Improved Blood Flow: Acupuncture promotes circulation to the reproductive organs. By increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, acupuncture can enhance the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to these organs. This improved blood flow can create a more favorable environment for follicle development, egg quality, and implantation.

• Reduction of Stress and Anxiety: Infertility can lead to significant emotional stress, which can further impact fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting the release of endorphins, natural pain-relieving and mood-enhancing chemicals. By alleviating stress, acupuncture can help restore hormonal balance, regulate the menstrual cycle, and improve reproductive function.

• Support for Assisted Reproductive Techniques: Acupuncture is now commonly used as a complementary therapy alongside assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Studies have shown that acupuncture administered before and after IVF or IUI procedures improves the success rates of these treatments. Acupuncture can enhance embryo implantation, regulate the immune response, and reduce the side effects of fertility medications.

Acupuncture offers clinically proven benefits for individuals seeking to enhance their fertility by regulating hormonal balance, improving blood flow to the reproductive organs, reducing stress, and supporting assisted reproductive techniques.

Ready to try it? David Blatt, LAc, offers acupuncture for fertility at his City Park location. Anticipate at least 3 months of weekly treatments to achieve desired results. Schedule now.

References:

  1. Zheng CH, Huang GY, Zhang MM, Wang W. (2012). The Role of Acupuncture in Assisted Reproductive Technology. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 543924.

  2. Stener-Victorin E, Waldenström U, Andersson SA, et al. (2006). Electro-Acupuncture as a Perioperative Analgesic Method and Its Effects on Implantation Rate and Ongoing Pregnancy Rate in IVF Treatment. Human Reproduction, 21(12), 3139-3147.

  3. Balk J, Catov J, Horn B, et al. (2010). The Relationship between Stress, Depression, and Perceived Control in Out-of-Cycle Conception Patients. Fertility and Sterility, 94(7), 2891-2896.

  4. Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. (2008). Effects of Acupuncture on Rates of Pregnancy and Live Birth among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. BMJ, 336(7643), 545-549.