Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture provide an effective and noninvasive option with low potential for side effects, improving a person's ability to conceive naturally. There is evidence that acupuncture improves blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, and as a stand alone treatment or combined with assisted reproductive techniques (IVF, IUI, ZIFT/GIFT, or ICSI), there are improved outcomes for conception.
How does it work?
Acupuncture can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing hormones of the endocrine system. The goal of fertility treatments are to encourage pregnancy, but also to support the pregnancy through the delivery of a healthy baby.
Acupuncture for infertility addresses both male and female factors. Approximately 40% of infertility is due to female factors, 40% is attributed to problems in the male, such as low sperm count, and the remaining 20% is unknown or both partners. Acupuncture addresses the hormone imbalance of both men and women in more than one way, but a major action of acupuncture is to reduce the hormone cortisol. This hormone is normally released to wake us up in the morning, but under stressful situations, it is released in excess. This alters the brain chemistry, affecting the pituitary gland, which then alters hormones throughout the body, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Acupuncture can address the root cause of stress, pituitary hormone imbalance, and infertility. However, it can be used for other conditions, including nausea of pregnancy, PMS pain, low back pain, anxiety, and more.
Curious about what acupuncture can offer you? Contact us and learn more.