Does acupuncture promote fertility? Short answer: yes. Acupuncture and moxibustion can help relieve stress, adjust the regularity of ovulation and so on, which is a good way to help procreation.
In TCM theory, infertility occurs when there is a disturbance of the vital balance accompanied by a blockage of Qi energy and blood flow. Acupuncture restores fertility by regulating hormonal imbalances and relieving stress.
Acupuncture and fertility issues
Worldwide, 8 to 12% of couples face fertility problems – numbers that are growing – of which 20% are due to mixed infertility.
Acupuncture, as an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been a valuable treatment for patients facing infertility, whether female or male, for centuries.
It is a technique that rebalances the energy flow of the meridians in the body by inserting long, thin needles into the skin at specific points along these meridians.
Also read: Facial acupuncture: Benefits and Notes
How can acupuncture help fertility?
Acupuncture is ideal in cases of functional infertility, i.e. when it cannot be explained. Acupuncture is effective in cases of ovulation disorders (ovulation is delayed or the date is unknown) and for the regularity of cycles, which is essential when you want to conceive a baby.
This discipline can act on the quality of the cervical mucus (present in the vagina, it allows the spermatozoa to progress to the uterus) and on the uterine mucus (the embryo does not manage to cling, nidation is difficult). In the latter case, recurrent miscarriages are frequent.
Ccalming the uterus and increasing the blood supply allows for successful implantation of an embryo into the uterus.
When acupuncture needles are placed correctly, it affects the nervous system. The idea is that by stimulating the nervous system, the uterus calms down and allows the blood to come in and circulate.
Acupuncture also prepares the body for in vitro fertilization and would contribute to increase the chances of success: the placement of needles allows to decrease the reactivity of the uterus at the time of the egg re-implantation.
A study, published in 2008 in the British Medical Journal, conducted on more than 1,300 women in the United States, Germany, Australia and Denmark, showed that the pregnancy rate increased by 65% among patients who underwent acupuncture sessions at the same time as an in vitro fertilization protocol.
Don’t miss: The benefits of ear acupuncture
The acupuncture method for women
If you are considering using acupuncture in hopes of curing endometriosis or PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), it certainly won’t help you much. Acupuncture can, however, have beneficial effects in improving ovarian function and increasing blood flow to the pelvic area.
If you are considering acupuncture for pregnancy, please consult your doctor first. He or she may be able to advise you on the best time to begin treatments. Some reproductive specialists may ask you to start before in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Benefits of acupuncture for men
In men, there are sometimes abnormal or deformed sperm, which decreases the chances of fertilizing the egg. Acupuncture can increase the quality and number of sperm, thus maximizing the chances of fertilization.
Benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy
Acupuncture is one of the medicines that has no contraindications during pregnancy. Luckily, it can be of great help during these 9 long months, and even at the time of delivery. Acupuncture treatment during pregnancy allows for the following
- relief of nausea, vomiting and anxiety ;
- treatment of nosebleeds, constipation, sinusitis and carpal tunnel of pregnancy;
- treatment of circulation disorders, swelling and heaviness of the legs;
- relief of lumbar, abdominal, pelvic and sciatic pain;
- treatment of oligohydramnios (insufficient amniotic fluid);
- modification of the fetal position in certain specific cases.
Possible risks
The problem of infertility is very complicated, it is a rigorous problem.
Although acupuncture is very popular in many countries, it may still bring side effects.
Before doing acupuncture, it is very necessary to consult a professional doctor and know your own problems.
