If you’re having difficulty conceiving, you’re not alone. According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, one in seven couples have fertility issues. [1].
Common conditions we see in clinic are:
There can be many causes of sub-fertility in both men and women, however in 30% of couples the cause remains unexplained, in western medical terms [2].
How acupuncture can help
Clinical trials have demonstrated that acupuncture is significantly better than drugs at achieving pregnancy rates [3]. Some studies have shown that acupuncture can almost double the likelihood for pregnancy when used in conjunction with the assisted reproductive technology [4]. Other research shows that acupuncture regulates fertility hormones, increases the blood flow to the reproductive organs, and counteracts the effect of polycystic ovarian syndrome, a common cause of infertility [5].
Whether you are trying to conceive naturally, or are looking for support alongside assisted fertility protocols, acupuncture can offer you the support you need, before, during and after pregnancy [6].
Pre-conception planning
This is an essential phase for couples who are trying to conceive, either naturally or with assisted reproductive technology including IVF and IUI (see below). The most important factor to consider is the health of both partners, as your overall health affects fertility. This is a time to engage in a healthier lifestyle. These positive changes will go on to support your pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. As part of the pre-conception stage, you will be offered an individual program of nutritional advice, lifestyle counselling, hormone support, and stress management. All of these will provide a good foundation for a healthy pregnancy.
Goal of Treatment
- Help lower FSH levels, when appropriate
- Help the body recover after miscarriage, or failed fertility treatments
- Help increase sperm count
- Improve sperm morphology
- Regulate menstrual cycles
- Optimise ovulation
- Regulate menstrual cycles
- Increase overall health and well-being
IVF and IUI Support
We recommend that you begin the pre-conception support phase at least 3 months prior to your scheduled IVF / IUI treatment. We have found that our program helps:
- Improve follicle health
- Improve egg health
- Support and improve your luteal phase
- Improve sperm count and motility
Even if you are unable to go through the recommended Pre-conception treatments to support fertility, we strongly recommend that you initiate acupuncture at any point in your process. We understand that you may be impatient to get started with your IVF or IUI cycles, yet having the support of acupuncture helps to facilitate your body’s overall health and ensure that you will be successful in your ART attempts [7].
Supportive Pregnancy Care
We offer supportive care throughout your entire pregnancy. We provide additional care for a variety of pregnancy-related complaints, including constipation, nausea, indigestion, and fatigue. We will provide you the support you need while you work with your obstetrician or midwife until the day of delivery, and thereafter.
Ongoing Post-partum Assistance
We also offer post-partum supportive care. If you are experiencing post-partum depression, having anxiety, fatigue, low breast milk supply, or any other issues, we can provide you with extra care and support.
A number of practitioners, who are members of the British Acupuncture Council, are available to the Acupuncture Access network to meet pre and post transfer schedules.
Call, or email to discuss your needs, I’m happy to address any concerns you may have about starting treatment.
Reference
[1] Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Facts and figures for researchers and the media. (2006) www.hfea.gov.uk
[2] National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health Fertility (NCCWCH) Fertility: assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems (full NICE guideline). Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. www.rcog.org.uk (2004)
[3] Huang ST, Chen AP. Traditional Chinese medicine and infertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jun;20(3):211-5.
Kewei Quan, Chuyi Yu, Xiaohui Wen, Qiuping Lin, Naiping Wang, Hongxia Ma. Acupuncture as Treatment for Female Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022 Feb 16; 2022https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8865966/
[4] Paulus WE.et al, Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility & Sterility 2002 Apr; 77(4):721-4.https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(06)00215-9/fulltext
[5] Lim CE, Wong WS. Current evidence of acupuncture on polycystic ovarian syndrome.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2010 Mar 16. [Epub ahead of print]
[6] Ng EH, So WS, Gao J, Wong YY, Ho PC. The role of acupuncture in the management of subfertility. Fertil Steril. 2008 Jul;90(1):1-13.
[7] Stener-Victorin E, Humaidan P. Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer. Acupunct Med. 2006 Dec;24(4):157-63.
[8] Stener-Victorin E, Jedel E, Mannerås L. Acupuncture in polycystic ovary syndrome: current experimental and clinical evidence. J Neuroendocrinol. 2008 Mar;20(3):290-8.
[9] Zhang WY, Huang GY, Liu J. [Influences of acupuncture on infertility of rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome] [in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2009 Nov;29(11):997-1000.