Did you know that about twenty-five percent of couples turn to acupuncture for a fertility boost, whether they're trying to conceive naturally or using medical infertility treatments like IVF?
Curious about how acupuncture enhances fertility? This article breaks down the research on how this ancient practice can positively impact fertility and even up the odds for IVF success.
What Is Acupuncture and How It Works
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy where slim, sanitized needles are popped into specific points on your body. The goal? To either treat or tone down various health issues, or just make you feel more balanced and well.
Acupuncture originated in China around 4000 BC when Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors believed that acupuncture works by regulating the flow of ‘Qi’ (often translated as a ‘vital force’ or ‘energy’). But it’s only recently, with advancements in science, that we started to understand how this ancient healing tradition works from a science perspective.
When acupuncture needles stimulate specific acupuncture points, this causes the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters then travel via the central nervous system to the brain, where they either activate or inhibit other nerve signals. It’s these neurotransmitters that regulate the release of hormones and control different aspects of health.
Here we will dive deeper into how acupuncture could potentially give your fertility a boost.
It Increases Blood Flow and Improves Egg Quality: Ovarian follicles and their eggs grow in response to hormones and nutrients delivered via the ovarian blood supply. Efficient blood flow is associated with higher quality eggs. Several research studies have found that one of the benefits of acupuncture is that it increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries by relaxing the walls of blood vessels.
It Improves Sperm Quantity and Quality: Believe it or not, up to 40% of infertility struggles are linked, at least partially, to male fertility issues. Here's the kicker: Even advanced methods like IVF or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) can't solve all male fertility problems. Why? Because these treatments focus more on choosing the "best-looking" sperm to fertilize the egg rather than improving the overall quality of the sperm.
Now, here's where acupuncture comes into play. Initial research has thrown up some intriguing results. Studies suggest that acupuncture can have a positive impact on various aspects of sperm health, including concentration, motility, vitality, and overall count. And that's not all: some researchers believe acupuncture might even help regulate testosterone levels.
It Helps With Embryo Implantation: The conversation around acupuncture and fertility is getting more interesting, especially with increasing evidence supporting its effectiveness. Take embryo implantation rates, for instance. Recent research suggests that acupuncture could be a game-changer here.
It Helps Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Research has shown that discovering an infertility diagnosis is equal to the level of emotional suffering one feels with a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunatley, infertility patients who suffer from high levels of stress may find it even harder to concieve. Stress can affect reproductive hormones, reduce sperm quantity and quality, increase risk of miscarrages and cause the menstrual cycle to be shorter, shorterning the luteal phase, reducing the length of time for successful embryonic implantation.
Making Time for Fertility Acupuncture
While acupuncture has been shown to be a safe and effective complementary treatment to enhance fertility and improve IVF success rates, it's important to understand that it's not a magic bullet or a quick fix.
Recent research suggests that the most significant benefits come from a more comprehensive approach, applying acupuncture throughout the entire IVF process, rather than just around the time of embryo transfer. One study by Qian et al. in 2017 indicated that the IVF pregnancy rate improved more notably when acupuncture was incorporated at all stages of the treatment.
If you're considering acupuncture to complement your fertility journey, you might need to start treatments a few months ahead of any medical infertility procedures. In more complex cases, an even earlier start might be advisable. Why? Because the ovarian follicles and the eggs inside them take over a year to mature, and sperm production takes about three months.
So, if you're considering this route, plan on continuing acupuncture treatments not just during the IVF process but possibly into early pregnancy as well. Being consistent and patient with your acupuncture regimen could provide the best chance for it to effectively complement your fertility treatments.
Fertility Acupuncture Specialists
While a solid foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture can offer benefits for many seeking to address fertility issues, the complexity of reproductive health often requires more specialized expertise.
If you're facing challenges with fertility or are undergoing IVF treatments, it's crucial to consult an acupuncturist who not only has a deep understanding of acupuncture but also possesses specialized knowledge in reproductive medicine and infertility. These practitioners are more equipped to address the nuances and complexities that often accompany fertility issues.
By choosing an acupuncturist with a robust background in this specialized area, you'll be positioning yourself for the best possible outcomes, whether you're looking to conceive naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.
Asheville Intergrative Acupuncture
If you suffer from complications trying to get pregnant, than fertility acupuncture may be the answer you need to help you be successful. Fertility Acupuncture is shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress, improving egg and sperm quality, bringing more blood flow to the reproductive organs, assisting with successful embryonic implantation and even balancing the body’s hormone levels.
Dr. Krystal Kinnunen, DAOM, L. AC, is certified through the National Certification Commission For Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Traditional Oriental Medicine. She has been practicing acupuncture for 12 years, and in addition to infertility, she treats various other issues, including maternity and postpartum care, chronic pain, mental health, digestive health, and women’s health.
Call (or text) 828-739-0345 to contact us today to schedule your acupuncture appointment and get started on your path to wellness and fertility. You can also book an appointment directly or use the contact form to reach us.
