It is no secret when pursuing fertility treatment that it also comes with elements of stress and frustration. Many patients seek additional support in alternative medicine to nurture their well-being, hoping to optimize outcomes on their path to parenthood. These treatments have been recognized to support fertility and overall health.
If you’re unfamiliar with Acupuncture, it’s an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. For thousands of years, it has been used to support various health conditions such as pain, stress, anxiety, insomnia, and more.
Acupuncture serves as a supplementary service for patients undergoing fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfers.
How Acupuncture Works for Fertility
Acupuncture may potentially improve your fertility in several ways:
- Balances hormones: Acupuncture stimulates the endocrine system, which is responsible for producing and releasing hormones that affect ovulation, menstruation, and pregnancy. By balancing the levels of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), acupuncture may help better prepare your body for fertility treatment.
- Increases blood flow: Acupuncture helps to increase blood circulation to the reproductive organs, especially the uterus and ovaries. This may improve the quality and quantity of eggs and the thickness and receptivity of the uterine lining. A well-nourished uterus and ovaries can increase your chances of conceiving and carrying a healthy baby.
- Reduces stress: Stress can have a negative impact on your fertility by disrupting your hormonal balance, affecting your ovulation, and lowering your libido. Acupuncture is known to reduce stress by stimulating the release of endorphins. It also can calm your nervous system and lower your blood pressure, improving your overall health and well-being.
How Acupuncture Complements Fertility Treatments
Acupuncture can be a valuable addition to your fertility treatment plan, whether you are trying to conceive naturally or with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF. Here are some of the ways acupuncture can complement your fertility treatments:
- Enhances IVF outcomes: Some studies have suggested that acupuncture performed before and after embryo transfer can increase the pregnancy rates of IVF patients. This may be due to acupuncture’s ability to improve blood flow to the uterus, relax the uterine muscles, and reduce stress and anxiety. Acupuncture can also help reduce some side effects of IVF medications, such as bloating, nausea, headaches, and mood swings.
- Supports overall wellness: Acupuncture can help you address other health issues that may affect your fertility indirectly, such as insomnia, digestive problems, allergies, or chronic pain. By improving your sleep quality, digestion, immunity, and pain relief, acupuncture can help you feel more comfortable and energetic throughout your fertility journey.
- Promotes emotional well-being: Trying to conceive can be emotionally challenging and cause frustration, sadness, anger, or guilt. Acupuncture can help you cope with these emotions by providing a safe and supportive space to express yourself and receive compassionate care. Acupuncture can also help you cultivate a positive and hopeful mindset to boost your confidence and resilience.