Pregnancy is based on blood and qi. Blood and qi are based on the emotions. Suppressed emotions will lead to disharmony in the chong mai and ren mai. This is the cause of infertility. – Complete works of Jing Yue (Jing Yue Quan Shu) Zhang Jingyue (c.1563-1640).
Are you struggling to conceive either naturally or through Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) such as IUI or IVF? According to WebMD, about 10 percent of couples in the United States are affected by infertility.* If you are part of that 10 percent, it can often feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster … the waiting, the hoping, and the disappointment each month. I know it can be overwhelming as you consider all your options, and try to navigate you way through strange protocols with multiple doctor appointments.
At Watertown Acupuncture I have worked with many women (and men too) who are trying to improve their chances of conceiving, whether it be through natural methods or ART. Acupuncture is becoming more and more accepted in Western Medicine with many fertility clinics having staff acupuncturists. Research has corroborated decades of practitioner experience adding acupuncture to traditional methods or IVF and IUI treatment protocols thereby substantially increasing pregnancy success.†,‡,§,‖
My approach for helping can be summed up in a phrase – “when the soil is properly prepared, the seed will grow.” Preparing your body and mind, and correcting imbalances helps to maximize your fertility. The length of the preparatory phrase is based on your Chinese medicine diagnosis, any underlying factors or health conditions, and your personal timetable. I’ll work with you to come up with the best treatment plan for your specific condition, which will include the top four benefits of acupuncture for fertility listed below:
- Reduction in stress: too much stress, anxiety or depression can lead to an increase in fertility inhibiting hormones. Acupuncture is a proven method to help you reduce your reactions to stresses in your life thereby helping you create a more fertile environment. ¶
- Regulate menstruation: irregular menstruation cycles, or menstrual problems in general, will make it more difficult for you to conceive. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help to regulate menstruation, ovulation, and normalize hormone levels. Δ,$
- Increase blood flow to uterus and ovaries +: helping to nourish your uterus and ovaries creates a more receptive environment for ovulation and implantation.
- Correct other imbalances: Since acupuncture treats the whole body and can affect your fertility, you may notice an improvement in other conditions bothering you, such as digestive disorders, insomnia, headaches, musculoskeletal issues, or many more.
If you are struggling with fertility, don’t wait any longer. Please call me for a free 30 minute consultation to learn how acupuncture can help you!
† Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and Sterility; 2002:11(4): 721-724
‡ Dieterle S, Ying G, Hatzmann W, Neuer A. Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracyoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. Fertility and Sterility; 2006:85:(5):1347-1351
§ Pinborg A, Loft A, Andersen AN. Acupuncture with in vitro fertilisation. BMJ; 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):517-8
‖ Cheong YC, Hung Yu Ng E, Ledger WL. Acupuncture and assisted conception. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8;(4):CD006920
¶ Grant, Lori-Ellen; Cochrane, Suzanne. Acupuncture for the Mental and Emotional Health of Women Undergoing IVF Treatment: A Comprehensive Review. Australian Journal of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine. 2014, Vol. 9 Issue 1, p5-12. 8p.
Δ Johansson, Julia; Stener-Victorin, Elisabet. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Effect and Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Ovulation Induction.Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (eCAM). 2013, Vol. 2013, p1-16. 16p. 3 Diagrams, 1 Chart. DOI: 10.1155/2013/762615.
$ Chang R, Chung PH, Rosenwaks Z. Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility. Fertility and Sterility. 2002:78(6):1149-1153
+ Stener-Victorin, Elisabet; Humaidan, Peter. Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer.Acupuncture in Medicine. Dec2006, Vol. 24 Issue 4, p157-163. 7p.