Does Fertility Acupuncture Work?
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Are you experiencing problems conceiving? According to several studies and medical research, acupuncture may help increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, and balancing the endocrine system. Studies also show that acupuncture may help with male infertility. Read on to learn more and check out the video below.
Studies on Fertility Acupuncture:
In a study of 160 women, published in 2002 in the reproductive journal Fertility and Sterility, a team of German researchers discovered that acupuncture significantly increased the odds of pregnancy among the group of 160 women who were undergoing In-VItro Fertilization (IVF) treatment.
In this study, one group of 80 women received two 25-minute acupuncture treatments — once before having fertilized embryos transferred into their uterus, and again directly afterwards. The second group of 80 women also underwent embryo transfer, but did not receive acupuncture treatments.
The results were that 42% of the women who had acupuncture treatments got pregnant, compared to 26% of those who didn’t receive the acupuncture treatment. The researchers speculated that acupuncture helped increase blood flow to the uterus and relax the muscle tissue, giving the embryos a better chance of implanting.
Stimulating Egg Production
Increasing the odds of IVF success is not the only way acupuncture can help you get pregnant. Acupuncture is also thought to stimulate egg production in women, offering an option for women who can’t, or don’t want to use fertility medications or IVF to help them get pregnant.
Reducing Stress Through Acupuncture Can Help with Fertility
Daily stress can take a toll on your health. Additional research suggests that acupuncture is effective in reducing stress. Since stress has been shown to interfere with conceiving a baby, it makes sense that reducing your stress through acupuncture could improve your odds of getting pregnant. Many women also find acupuncture treatments helpful in managing the stress they feel about trying to get pregnant.
How Acupuncture Interacts with Brain Chemistry & Fertility
In studies from 2002 published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, Raymond Chang, MD, and noted Cornell University reproductive endocrinologist Zev Rosenwaks, MD, found a clear link between acupuncture treatments and the brain hormones involved in conception.
Their research noted that acupuncture increases endorphin production, the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals in the brain. Endorphins also play a role in regulating the menstrual cycle.
Dr. Chang states that acupuncture appears to have a neuroendocrine effect. Treatments impact a “three-way axis” between the pituitary glands and the hypothalamus (the two areas of the brain involved with producing hormones), and the ovaries– ultimately impacting egg production and possibly ovulation.
Acupuncture Could Impact the Number of Egg Follicles
Acupuncture may directly impact the number of egg follicles available for fertilization in women undergoing IVF, as stated by Sandra Emmons, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health Sciences University in a research paper published in the journal Medical Acupuncture in 2000.
Emmons theorizes that acupuncture changes the blood supply to the ovaries, possibly dilating the arteries and increasing blood flow, causing the ovaries to receive greater amounts of hormonal stimulation.
Dr. Chang believes that acupuncture may also help when the lining of the uterus is too weak to sustain a pregnancy — a problem that can increase the risk of miscarriage.
By increasing blood flow to these areas, the lining of the uterus may be better equipped to absorb the nutrients and hormones needed to help it grow strong enough to hold onto an implanted embryo, says Dr. Chang.
Acupuncture May Also Help Male Infertility
Research has shown that regular acupuncture treatments for men can significantly improve the quality and health of sperm. In a 2005 study published in Fertility and Sterility, researchers looked at sperm samples from men with infertility of unknown cause before and after acupuncture treatments. They found that the sperm of the men who received acupuncture treatments had fewer structural defects and an increase in the number of normal sperm.
Fertility Acupuncture in San Diego: Where to Start
It’s important to keep in mind that there are some infertility conditions that can’t be helped by acupuncture, such as blocked fallopian tubes. The best first step to treating fertility problems is to contact a physician to receive a medical evaluation.
At Husami Integrative Acupuncture in San Diego, many of our patients are referred to us by physicians who understand the value of acupuncture treatments used in conjunction with traditional Western fertility treatments.
About Suzie Husami, LAc
Suzie Husami, LAc is a licensed acupuncturist who received her Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She came to this profession having worked as an EMT-D (Emergency Medical Technician, Defibrillation) in the state of New York and with four years in clinical and pharmaceutical research in San Diego. Suzie combines her knowledge of Western medicine with her expertise in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine to provide holistic treatments tailored to each patient with care.
Does Insurance Cover Fertility Acupuncture?
Our San Diego acupuncture clinic does take insurance. Not sure if you have acupuncture coverage? We can verify your insurance for you. If you don’t have insurance coverage, we offer affordable cash rates.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call or send us a text at Husami Integrative Acupuncture: (619) 302-7589.
