You might have been trying to have a pregnancy for some time now and have tried almost everything, but have not been successful with it. Or you are one of those who have had many pregnancies, but have not carried them to term.
Given these two scenarios you might be interested to try an old fashioned method, but have proven effective by many, the Acupuncture Fertility.
Acupuncture and fertility however, does not stand alone, it works best as an adjunct to your other fertility methods, and one among that has been proven more successful with acupuncture fertility is in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Acupuncture fertility has been practiced in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) way back the time of the Shang dynasty from 1000 BC-1500 BC.
And recently due to the trend towards health and wellness through going back to the basics of organic medicine and natural healing methods, acupuncture and fertility has been given a new rise to popularity.
So, if you are a couple endlessly trying to conceive for more than a year already and have spent thousands of dollars in different fertility methods, acupuncture and fertility may work for you.
The Principles Involved in Acupuncture
Acupuncture is based on the scientific research that the human body is composed of energy channels called meridians, these energy channels are stimulated through energy points to perform at its peak. This method of stimulation can be done through acupressure or acupuncture to enhance the life force energy called Qi.
The yin yang also represents the principle of acupuncture that involves the method of balancing between good and bad, hot and cold, night and day, male and female and the other duality forces in nature. Stimulating the energy points through acupuncture finds the balance in all opposing areas in life.
Acupuncture and Fertility
In human reproduction particularly the female reproductive system, there are also two forces involved namely the first half of the menstrual cycle, which is the follicular phase and is yin (cooling energy) in TCM and the second half of the cycle, which is the luteal phase is the yang (the warming energy) in TCM.
For acupuncture fertility to be effective, an acupuncturist practitioner will determine your fertility in terms of how much yin and yang are present in your reproductive system.
In cases of imbalance or disorders, the acupuncture practitioner will make use of small needles to stimulate the life force moving through your uterus, fallopian tubes and the ovaries.
This stimulation is represented by an improved blood circulation in the areas involved in reproduction. Most often, the problem with infertility occurs when a woman has a “cold womb” represented by too much estrogen, but lacking enough progesterone which makes the temperature and the uterus warm that is needed for fertilization to take place, so to treat this condition acupuncture fertility is applied by raising the level of progesterone.
Acupuncture Fertility as an Adjunct to Conventional Fertility Methods
A conventional fertility method that highly benefits from acupuncture fertility is the In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) where a fertilized ovum is readily implanted in the uterus of a woman.
If you have tried this method yet have failed, acupuncture fertility may help in preparing your womb for a more conducive uterine environment for the fertilized ovum to survive and age until the 10th lunar month of pregnancy.
The principles involved here is that conventional medicine has perfected the science of doing mechanical in-vitro fertilization, while TCM through acupuncture and fertility prepares the woman through a holistic approach that deals with her physiologic imbalances, diet and mind set on the treatment modalities that will be used.
Indications for Acupuncture Fertility
Acupuncture fertility can be used for you or your partner; however you who will conceive the baby will get more benefits from this fertility method.
Acupuncture fertility is advised if you have poor quality of egg cells, a history of more than 3 consecutive miscarriages, problems with ovulation and a block in your fallopian tubes.
For your partner who has poor sperm count, poor sperm quality and has problems with erection and ejaculations, they will also benefit from acupuncture therapy.
Improvement of Fertility in Women
Acupuncture and Fertility treatment benefits women in several ways including:
1. Stress Reduction
Acupuncture is a relaxation therapy that reduces your production of the stress hormones and stimulates more production of your happy hormones called, the endorphins.
Stress has been found in several researches to have a significant effect in your ability to conceive, so if hormonal balance will be achieved, the more likely you will be able to succeed in your next pregnancy.
2. Improved Blood Flow
In acupuncture fertility the insertion of needles in your reproductive energy points will increase the blood supply in your ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus, making it warm and conducive for the growing embryo. It will also improve you ovulation cycle and increase in the uterine lining preparing it for implantation.
3. Decreased Incidence of Reproductive Conditions
Acupuncture and fertility also deals with the improvement in your blood circulation will also promote healing and decrease inflammation in your fallopian tubes, which is the common reason for ectopic pregnancies.
If these conditions are corrected chances of wrong implantation other than the uterus will be minimized remarkably. Conditions like dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovaries and endometriosis are believed to be caused by harmony imbalances and acupuncture helps deal with such imbalances to deal with these conditions.
4. Quality Egg Cells
By improving your blood circulation through acupuncture and fertility, it will ensure enough blood supply and nourishment to your ovaries improving the state of your maturing ova (egg cell).
5. Hormone Stimulation
Acupuncture fertility stimulates progesterone production necessary for fertilization and it also stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more follicles just like what the medicine Clomid does, increasing the chances of more egg maturation, therefore a high fertilization rate.
6. Reduced Uterine Spasm
Acupuncture and fertility therapy being a relaxation technique decreases your uterine spasm that causes threatened miscarriages.
7. Improved Immune System
Acupuncture for fertility therapy also improves your immune system preparing you for the entire pregnancy ensuring a healthy baby and fewer complications for you.
Improvement of Fertility in Men
Acupuncture fertility treatment also benefits men in some ways including:
1. Quality of Sperms
By improving the blood flow in the male reproductive system it will stimulate production of more hormones needed for more sperm production. Acupuncture for fertility does not just improve the count, but it also develops better motility and quality of sperms.
2. Stress Reduction
Just like you, your husband will also be relieved from stress adding to vigor and vitality which also helps improve sperm quantity and quality therefore increase the chances of a pregnancy.
3. Improved Immune System
Poor immune system in men can lead to inflammation in the reproductive areas that can lead to infertility; by boosting the immune system men will be unlikely to catch diseases easily making them more able to be better partners in your hope for a pregnancy.
Other Tips to Improve Fertility as an Adjunct to Acupuncture for Fertility
Acupuncture fertility therapy when combined with IVF increases the rate of conception, but there are still other important things you as a couple must do to further increase your chances for a pregnancy.
1. Planning
It is very important for both you and your partner to prepare your bodies ahead of time, at least 3 months before the actual IVF procedure. This means sessions of acupuncture fertility are done earlier than the IVF itself, as the saying goes “Nourish the soil before planting the seed.”
2. Healthy Food Choices
It is equally important that both you and your partner to watch what you eat making sure that the following are excluded from them: caffeine, which studies show increases the rate of having miscarriages and alcohol and alcoholic beverages, which decreases sperm production and delays egg maturation. A balanced healthy diet must be strictly followed as an adjunct to acupuncture for fertility therapy.
3. Stress Reduction
As explained earlier, you and your partner’s stress level affects your capacity to produce healthy eggs and your partner’s sperm count and quality. One way to reduce stress is for both of you to have at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
4. Weight Control
Both you and your partner should maintain your ideal weight; for you to have better chances to conceive and for your partner to have healthier sperm cells. To do this a regular exercise is recommended prior to the IVF procedure and the acupuncture for fertility sessions.
5. Smoking
Studies have linked smoking to infertility in men and increased incidences of miscarriages in women, so if you or your partner is smoking this is the best time to stop if you are really serious about having a baby and are seriously considering acupuncture for fertility.
6. Supplements
Your acupuncturist may also advice both you and your partner to take herbs and supplements together with your acupuncture for fertility sessions. These are given to boost your immune system and to balance depleted nutrients in your body.
Conclusion
Acupuncture fertility therapy can be used as an effective tool in improving the chances of conception primarily by improving the reproductive function of both the male and female partner; it also helps by boosting the immune system and lastly reduces emotional and physical stress.
It is however important to take note that effectivity of acupuncture for fertility therapy also takes into consideration factors like the couple’s preparedness for the procedure that is why an initial consultation with the acupuncturist is recommended.
Some people may have problems with needles being inserted to their body that is why the patient should be calm and relaxed at least 30 to 45 minutes before acupuncture for fertility session begins, otherwise it may have untoward side effects like bruising and bleeding.
It is also very crucial for the acupuncturist to get a health history because there are conditions when acupuncture is contraindicated like cases of diabetes where there is slow healing process and cases of hepatitis and HIV infection where there is a risk of infection.
Some men tend to be wary of having acupuncture fertility done for fear that needles will be inserted in their private parts, which is not the case unlike women whose reproductive system are just beneath the lower abdominal area where the needles are placed.
In men however, there are energy points located outside of the body that are directly linked to their reproductive organs particularly the urinary system which is directly linked via the lower abdominal wall.
Many are not yet aware of the benefits of acupuncture fertility treatment and for those who are still hopeful and will try just about anything to conceive, acupuncture and fertility do go hand in hand.
