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Many women would agree that being stuck with a bunch of needles is a small price to pay for the possibility of motherhood. While not the answer for every couple, evidence suggests that acupuncture can help with some types of infertility.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine in which thin, sterile needles are inserted into specific points on the body. These points—over 2,000 of them—are connected to meridians, or energy pathways, and when stimulated by acupuncture needles they can regulate the way the body functions. An imbalance of energy can lead to illness or health problems; acupuncture can restore balance in the body and, in some cases, aid with fertility problems.
Acupuncture, often in conjunction with herbal medicine, has demonstrated potential for treating some types of infertility, including sterility resulting from recurrent miscarriage, elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Acupuncture cannot treat tubal adhesions resulting from endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease; however, it may help improve these conditions.
In a systematic review published in the British Medical Journal, Eric Manheimer and colleagues found preliminary evidence that acupuncture can help significantly with in vitro fertilization (IVF). A Fertility and Sterility review compiled by Ernest Hung Yu Ng, MD, and colleagues also found that acupuncture increased pregnancy rate with IVF treatment, particularly when acupuncture treatment occurred the same day as embryo transfer. This report also found that acupuncture helped many women relieve pain during egg retrieval.
Beginning acupuncture treatment a few months before IVF, insemination or donor-egg transfer can help increase the effects. Continuing acupuncture throughout the first trimester may help prevent miscarriage. Carefully selecting an acupuncturist who is trained in fertility disorders is important, as use of incorrect acupuncture points during pregnancy can actually lead to miscarriage. Still, this is one of the few risks of acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture is generally a safe form of treatment with few, if any, side effects.
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I had standard acupuncture done for many months until it just wasn't working any longer. I am now seeing Doctor Treatment for Pain. He is doing a different type of acupuncture where he injects a steroid into the acupuncture points. I have had the best results thus far.
October 24, 2011 - 7:07pmAcupuncture Treatment
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I’m glad you brought up these points. Every couple should know what they should do and what they should get in order to increase their chance of having a child. My heart goes out to all of you that are in this situation. For all of you who are TTC, here’s a story for you. My wife and I tried to have children for over 3 years. We were contemplating IVF and adoption, but just trying to save up the money for either was an obstacle. Finally, a family member told us about a product called BeeFertile. It’s a natural fertility product – no prescription required. It’s a 2 part kit and has Royal Jelly in it, which is supposed to be really good for increasing fertility. We were skeptical, but decided to try it. It was so much cheaper than having to take fertility testing, etc. So they tell you that it takes 3-6 months for it to work. I’m happy to report that only after 3 months of taking the kit, my wife was PPT!!! Check it out: www.beefertile.com
July 12, 2011 - 11:57amUsing Acupuncture to treat infertility is becoming the natural medicine of choice for many couples trying to get pregnant. IVF is physically invasive and emotionally draining - acupuncture can help this by reducing stress and relaxing the mind.
July 9, 2011 - 2:20amAcupuncture is a great modality to treat infertility, stress and align meridians for optimal health and eventual conception. A great benefit to acupuncture is that you can treat several different things all at one time. Treating your body as a whole helps create physiological balance and harmony in the body. A systematic approach to fertility issues is important considering it involves the entire endocrine system affecting many different glands and hormones. Acupuncturists across the country are supporting their patients with FertileView to help them chart and understand their fertility to choose optimal timing to increase their chances of conceiving pregnancy. FMS and acupuncture go hand in hand as a great approach to many fertility issues complimenting each other while providing a proactive heath care approach helping patients to be successful on their journey to greater health and conception.
July 8, 2011 - 10:00am