When you think about it, obstetricians and gynecologists are faced with a rather insurmountable task. All physicians must gain the trust of their patients but these specific doctors are responsible for women facing or seeking, the responsibility of motherhood. It is the role women assume in life that levels the field between them and any medical professional. After all, women have been mothers for far longer than people have been doctors.
Women’s fertility is an area that many Western trained doctors will seek knowledge outside that training to know every possible solution to the problem. Acupuncture is often considered for its ability to increase conception rate without undesirable side effects. Specifically, acupuncture enhances circulation and hormonal activity, as well as the success rate of in vitro fertilization.
Acupuncture & Circulation
Certainly every woman struggling with infertility has heard the advice, “Just relax and it will happen”. These well intended words have some merit, but relax? That’s easier said than done. Acupuncture can help by effecting the sympathetic nervous system and promoting circulation in the reproductive organs.
Life is full of stress. Our bodies react to modern day stress the same way our prehistoric ancestors’ bodies reacted to prehistoric stresses such as being chased by a saber-toothed-tiger. Blood is pulled away from our digestive and reproductive systems and directed to the large muscles so we can RUN. This autonomic response comes in handy when we need to flee from a predator, but it is detrimental to women’s ability to conceive. Acupuncture helps switch off that fight-or-flight response and allows blood to circulate fully to all the vital reproductive organs. That’s just a good place to start.
In time, a woman’s ovaries should see the benefit of improved circulation. Like all other organs, ovaries need healthy blood flow in order to operate at maximum efficiency. This means they will produce healthier eggs. How about the uterus? The lining of the womb will become thicker thanks to the enhanced circulation and be more capable of properly nourishing an embryo.
Acupuncture & Hormones
Here is where we let the endocrinologists share the spotlight with the obstetricians and gynecologists. Endocrinologists specialize in diseases and conditions related to glands. This means they are experts when it comes to hormones. Classically trained acupuncturist Dr. Raymond Chang and Cornell University reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Zev Rosenwaks managed to discover a link between acupuncture and the hormones related to conception2. This was in 2002. Their studies showed that acupuncture increases the production of endorphins. Aside from the obvious roles that this “feel good” brain chemical might play in conception, they also regulate the menstrual cycle.
Acupuncture & In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Around the same time, Dr. Chang and Dr. Rosenwaks conducted their research, a group of German doctors produced a study revealing that acupuncture significantly increased the odds of pregnancy for a group of women undergoing IVF treatment. Out of 160 women, some received acupuncture while others did not. Out of those who did, 42% became pregnant compared to 26% who did not. It would seem that the aforementioned increased blood flow to the uterus leads to relaxed muscle tissue and improves the embryo’s chances for implanting.
Acupuncture & Infertility
Strategy and a positive frame of mind will be indispensable while seeking infertility treatment. We obviously are recommending you consider acupuncture as one of your methods but there a number of important items to consider, overall:
- Do not settle for someone who “moonlights” in acupuncture. If you are going to include it in your treatment, seek a doctor trained and licensed in acupuncture, with a background in treating infertility.
- If treatment involves a reproductive endocrinologist, be sure that they are affiliated with your acupuncturist. As described earlier, a clear connection has been proven between acupuncture and your hormones.
- You should still see an obstetrician. Simply make him or her aware of your acupuncture treatment.
- Acupuncturists often specialize in Chinese herbal medicine. Do not take any such medicine without checking with whoever is administering your reproductive medicine.
- Do not lose sight of the goal. After implantation but before any further acupuncture treatments, it is imperative that you get a pregnancy test. Once an obstetrician confirms even the possibility that you might be pregnant, an acupuncturist will know how to proceed. Certain points should no longer be stimulated once you are pregnant.
Acupuncture & Male Infertility
No, we didn’t forget the guys. Male fertility challenges are real. An estimated 35 percent to 40 percent of infertility problems among couples are actually caused by male conditions. There are several possible causes of male infertility such as low sperm count, abnormal sperm shape and/or size (morphology), and decreased sperm motility. Lifestyle changes, targeted nutritional therapy, and, of course, acupuncture can often reverse these conditions. A 2005 study published in the Journal Fertility and Sterility, examined the effects of acupuncture on spermatozoa quality. Forty men were tested, twenty of which received acupuncture twice and week for 5 weeks. At the end of test period, the acupuncture subjects’ sperm morphology significantly improved.
Many possible causes of fertility challenges exist for both women and men. Most causes can be addressed with integrated use of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, personalized nutritional supplementation, and stress reduction. If you are struggling to conceive or wish to enhance your health before conceiving, consult with an acupuncturist. Optimize all aspects of your wellness.
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