Acupuncture and Fertility
Acupuncture is an ancient practice in Chinese medicine that has been used to treat a variety of health issues, ranging from headaches to digestive problems. It has also been associated with an improved chance of conceiving in women who struggle with fertility problems.
How Acupuncture Works
The belief behind acupuncture is that the body contains channels, or meridians, through which energy, known as Qi, flows. Interruptions or blockages of Qi are thought to result in health problems, depending on where the blockage or interruption occurs. During an acupuncture session, very thin needles are placed into particular points on the body that are linked to the affected meridian. The needles help unblock it so that Qi can flow freely again, which can help ease health symptoms or stimulate certain functions.
How Acupuncture Affects Fertility
Acupuncture can increase a woman’s chances of conceiving in several ways, including:
- Treating underlying health issues that affect fertility, such as thyroid problems
- Stimulating the parts of the brain that release hormones that are needed for reproduction
- Improving the function of the ovaries and follicles
- Helping to create a thick lining in the endometrium by improving blood flow to that area
- Reducing stress, which can help improve the chances of conception in women who are undergoing fertility treatments
Acupuncture is often used with other forms of treatment, rather than as a sole method of treatment to enhance fertility. It is commonly used with herbal medicine to boost fertility, and it has also been successfully used with in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The results of a 2005 study published in “Fertility and Sterility” showed that the use of acupuncture greatly improved the reproductive outcome for infertile women who underwent IVF. Acupuncture was most successful when done on the same day of the embryo transfer.
Another study done in 2012 at Tel Aviv University showed that combining intrauterine insemination (IUI), another conventional form of fertility treatment, with acupuncture and herbs leads to a higher chance of a successful conception compared to only relying on IUI.
When Acupuncture Should Be Done
Acupuncture should ideally start a few months before a conventional fertility method, such as IUI or IVF, is done. Acupuncture sessions are typically continued throughout the first trimester to help reduce the risk of a miscarriage.