Acupuncture for Fertility

Learn how to increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 13.1% of women in the US experience fertility problems. A common misconception is that fertility issues are primarily caused by the female; however, 30% of infertility cases in the US are due to male fertility factors.

Discover the most common causes of infertility and why acupuncture for fertility has proven an effective and safe modality for helping couples increase their chances of getting pregnant naturally.

Most common causes of infertility

One in six couples struggle to conceive naturally and this can be due to a number of factors, including:

• Ovulatory complications such as cysts of the ovary or premature ovarian failure (when the ovaries stop working before the age of forty).

• Hormonal disorders including an irregular cycle, loss of periods, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), an over-active or under-active thyroid, diabetes and endometriosis.

• Damage to the uterus or fallopian tubes preventing fertilization and implantation of an embryo. 

• Inhospitable cervical mucus caused by an infection or yeast overgrowth. Fertile cervical mucus should be thin and watery to allow sperm to pass through easily to swim up to the egg.

• Sperm anomalies: low sperm count, issues with morphology (shape) and motility (ability to move properly) and damage to the DNA of the sperm.

• Immunological issues such as autoimmune disorders (when your immune system attacks your own cells), sperm antibodies (when the woman’s immune system produces antibodies to attack sperm cells) and tissue type compatibility (when the female’s immune system responds negatively to the male’s tissues).

• Dietary and lifestyle factors including:

  • Obesity

  • Chronic stress

  • Poor sleep or insomnia

  • Smoking, drugs/ medication and excessive alcohol

  • Caffeine consumption

  • A high-sugar and junk food diet

  • Lack of exercise

  • Toxicity and exposure to chemicals, radiation or heavy metals.  

How does acupuncture help with fertility?

Acupuncture is a safe and effective modality which involves the insertion of small, thin needles into specific acupuncture points on the body with the aim of stimulating the nerve endings below the surface of the skin. The acupuncture points correspond with different organs in the body. The needles can be manipulated and moved in a specific way to elicit a response in the body. 

For fertility, acupuncture works by placing the needles along the acupuncture points relating to the reproductive organs and the nervous system.

Acupuncture has shown to improve the blood flow to the ovaries by inhibiting activity in the sympathetic nervous system which is triggered by stress. When you get stressed, your body activates the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight response) which can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis; these are the main endocrine glands associated with reproductive health. Stress also causes your ovarian arteries to constrict, reducing the blood flow to the ovaries.

Acupuncture can improve the thickness of the endometrial lining (lining of the uterus) to assist with implantation by increasing blood flow to the area.

Benefits of acupuncture for fertility

Acupuncture can assist with:

• Balancing both male and female hormone levels so the body produces the necessary reproductive hormones for conception.

• Regulating a female’s menstrual cycle by enhancing the communication between the brain and the ovaries to promote ovulation and normal hormone production.

• Enhancing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries which can improve the chances of implantation.

• Optimizing sperm health by increasing sperm count and improving motility.

• Reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting relaxation which is essential for couples trying to conceive. When you are stressed, your body produces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline which negatively affect your reproductive hormones. Chronic stress can impact a woman’s menstrual cycle and impair ovulation; for men, it can reduce testosterone levels and sperm quality. 

How many sessions of acupuncture do you need for fertility?

Using acupuncture to boost fertility can be very beneficial. The number of acupuncture sessions you’ll require depends on your personal constitution, medical history, individual needs and how you respond to the acupuncture treatment. Typically, ten to twelve sessions are recommended as a starting point. Your acupuncturist will advise you on how many sessions of acupuncture might be required during the first session once they have taken a case history and assessed your needs. 

Boost your fertility with acupuncture

Fertility complications can arise due to a number of male and female factors, from poor quality sperm and irregular menstrual cycles to dietary and lifestyle aspects such as stress and poor diet. Acupuncture is effective in reducing stress and anxiety, improving blood flow to the pelvic organs and balancing hormone levels. Speak to one of our experienced fertility acupuncturists today to improve your chances of a healthy conception.

Need help with fertility?

Book a free call with our fertility acupuncturist.

Over to you

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