Acupuncture for Fertility

It takes two, baby

Did you know that about 1 in 8 couples in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant? Of that, at least 40% of fertility issues are male related, though females tend to get more attention for infertility issues.

Western Medicine View of Infertility

Identifiable causes of infertility from a western perspective include:

·      Ovulatory dysfunction and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

·      Blocked tubes

·      Low sperm count

·      Poor quality sperm count

·      Unexplained infertility

·      Secondary infertility (inability to get pregnant with a second child)

·      Miscarriage

Scientifically speaking, we know that female fertility declines with age. If a specific diagnosis is made about your infertility, treatment can be more targeted to help promote conception.

The process of trying to conceive can be very stressful, and many doctors consider stress a factor in the ability to conceive.

“Stress affects both men and women during the course of trying to conceive.”

The typical Western approach can be very time consuming and expensive. Options include:

  • assisted reproduction

  • ovulation medications

  • IVF

  • egg & sperm donation

  • surrogacy

How does Chinese medicine treat infertility?

Chinese medicine treats the whole person and a plan is crafted to help promote the smooth operation of bodily systems. What does it mean when we treat the “whole person”? Think of the body as a tree. The trunk is our “core”- the root of our makeup. The branches of the tree are symptoms that manifest when the body is diseased. Our job is to support the trunk so that we don’t get these “diseased” branches. A branch, for example, could be the inability to conceive. We will work to figure out what is going on in the trunk that needs support, so that this symptom of infertility will not result.

Unexplained infertility can often be the result of a simple imbalance that needs to be addressed. Many patients feel a strong energy shift after a few acupuncture sessions that allows the body to recalibrate and conceive naturally.

What do we do?

  • Assess your body functions to identify any areas that need to be nourished and addressed, ultimately helping to sustain a regular monthly cycle and ovulation.

  • Work in accordance with any Western protocols you are following to help give your body the best chance for conception. This can include scheduling treatments in accordance with IVF, IUI, and other procedures.

  • For men, acupuncture can help to improve overall energy and health, while decreasing stress and improving sperm quality and quantity.

  • Diet and lifestyle recommendations will be made to both men and women to help support the conception process.

Western View of Acupuncture for Fertility

Western medicine believes that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, which influences that production of hormones and neurotransmitters. As a result, the body’s self-regulating system stimulates our natural healing abilities and promotes physical and emotional homeostasis. Before committing to IVF, IUI, or other testing or procedures, acupuncture can be considered to help achieve this hormonal balance. Research shows acupuncture has great results in treating both women and men for fertility related issues.

Working with Western Medicine and Acupuncture is not mutually exclusive.

If you are already undergoing IVF, Acupuncture is an excellent addition to reinforce the IVF process. Regular acupuncture sessions during this time can:

  • Mitigate the undesirable effects of medication

  • Decrease stress

  • Promote circulation to the uterus and ovaries

For more information about treating your infertility with acupuncture, please call us at 732-889-9228 and we will be happy to talk further.