Acupuncture for Fertility and IVF
The World health Organisation recognises that acupuncture can aid fertility
problems, both male and female. It can boost the chances of conceiving
successfully (both naturally and through IVF) as it prepares the body for
conception and pregnancy.
What is Acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced in China for more than 4000
years. Acupuncture is the most commonly used modality of this medicine in the
West. Sterile needles are inserted into specific points located on the body
to access the bodies “Qi” or vital energy. These points are located on “Channels”
that are connected to internal organs as well as the exterior of the
body. Acupuncture is a painless, relaxing therapy that rectifies and harmonises
the body’s energy and expels pathogenic factors. It can regulate hormones,
strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and increase energy. A typical
treatment lasts up to an hour.
How can it help couples who are trying to conceive?
Conception means the union of the sperm and the ovum. Successful conception
depends on the couple’s overall health. Acupuncture and the practice of
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic form of medicine, meaning it treats
and balances the whole body and does not concentrate on alleviation of the
symptoms of disharmony alone.
The approach used is to optimise the fertility health of both partners.
Acupuncture and IVF
Preparation for IVF can begin several months prior to start of treatment, but
even one month before commencement of treatment can make a difference to the
fertilisation rate and can improve implantation success.
How does Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine help improve the IVF success
rates?
Having acupuncture pre and post IVF transfer can be particularly useful.
Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Acupuncture can be especially helpful during pregnancy as well.
The World health Organisation recognises that acupuncture can aid fertility
problems, both male and female. It can boost the chances of conceiving
successfully (both naturally and through IVF) as it prepares the body for
conception and pregnancy.
What is Acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced in China for more than 4000
years. Acupuncture is the most commonly used modality of this medicine in the
West. Sterile needles are inserted into specific points located on the body
to access the bodies “Qi” or vital energy. These points are located on “Channels”
that are connected to internal organs as well as the exterior of the
body. Acupuncture is a painless, relaxing therapy that rectifies and harmonises
the body’s energy and expels pathogenic factors. It can regulate hormones,
strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and increase energy. A typical
treatment lasts up to an hour.
How can it help couples who are trying to conceive?
Conception means the union of the sperm and the ovum. Successful conception
depends on the couple’s overall health. Acupuncture and the practice of
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic form of medicine, meaning it treats
and balances the whole body and does not concentrate on alleviation of the
symptoms of disharmony alone.
The approach used is to optimise the fertility health of both partners.
- This is achieved in the female partner by treating any irregularity in the
menstrual cycle such as amenorrhea, heavy bleeding, anovulation and
gynaecological problems such as PMS, endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS. - Acupuncture can optimise the fertility health of the male partner by
improving sperm quality and count. Specific protocols exist for low sperm
count, poor morphology and low sperm motility. - As stress, depression, endocrine hormone imbalance and the body’s primary
metabolism may all impact conception all of these issues can be addressed using
acupuncture and can benefit both partners.
Acupuncture and IVF
Preparation for IVF can begin several months prior to start of treatment, but
even one month before commencement of treatment can make a difference to the
fertilisation rate and can improve implantation success.
How does Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine help improve the IVF success
rates?
- It improves the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs.
- It regulates the hormones to produce larger number of follicles.
- It increases the blood flow to the uterus and increases the thickness of the
uterine lining. - It relaxes the patient and decreases her stress.
- It helps prevent uterine contractions.
- It lessens the side effects of the Western drugs used during IVF.
- It improves the sperm quality and count to create better quality and
quantity of embryos. - It decreases the chance of miscarriage,
Having acupuncture pre and post IVF transfer can be particularly useful.
- Treatment prior to embryo transfer invigorates blood flow in the local area
in order to make the body more receptive to the embryo. - Treatment after embryo transfer stabilises the hormone levels and therefore
keeps the embryo safe. This also calms and relaxes the uterus so that it does
not reject the egg.
Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Acupuncture can be especially helpful during pregnancy as well.
- To help stimulate the flow of blood to the uterus and to help lift energ levels.
- It is also good for stress – which is not good for mother or baby.
- Nausea, fatigue and back ache can also be helped significantly.
- Acupuncture / moxibustion can be use to turn breech babies.
- Acupuncture can induce labour when a baby is overdue.