Acupuncture for Natural and Assisted Fertility
Acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular choice for people with fertility issues as they look for ways to optimize their chances of a successful pregnancy. I have completed several post-graduate courses on:
Natural Fertility
The aim of fertility acupuncture is to help the body to restore its natural balance and rhythm in preparation for conception and pregnancy. Many factors can affect the body’s natural balance such as lifestyle, diet, emotions and stress.
The initial consultation will be along the lines of a normal acupuncture consultation, however, there will also be a full fertility review to establish your fertility history. Dietary and lifestyle advice, together with help, information and general fertility awareness for each partner will be provided.
Feelings of stress and anxiety are not uncommon for couples experiencing fertility issues. It is widely known that on-going stress can have a negative effect on our hormones and overall feelings of well-being. Acupuncture points to help counter these effects are, therefore, incorporated into the treatment plan. With stress levels reduced, not only will this help to promote feelings of calm but may also help regulate fertility hormones.
Ideally, it is best to start acupuncture three months before trying for a baby, or before your IVF cycle. This allows time for any lifestyle/dietary changes and treatment to take effect.
There is research to show that acupuncture may help to:
Assisted Reproductive Techniques
Undergoing IVF can be an incredibly stressful experience for couples. There are several stages to IVF: down-regulation, stimulation, egg retrieval, implantation and the waiting period before the pregnancy test. Obviously people deal with the process in different ways, however, from my experience in clinic, I would say that the majority of those going through IVF find it to be an intense and emotional time. Acupuncture can be a great support to people as they go through the IVF process. The table below provides an outline of how acupuncture is incorporated alongside IVF.
Acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular choice for people with fertility issues as they look for ways to optimize their chances of a successful pregnancy. I have completed several post-graduate courses on:
- Acupuncture for natural fertility - including issues such as PCOS and endometriosis.
- Acupuncture for support during assisted reproductive techniques for example, IVF and IUI.
- Acupuncture for pregnancy care.
Natural Fertility
The aim of fertility acupuncture is to help the body to restore its natural balance and rhythm in preparation for conception and pregnancy. Many factors can affect the body’s natural balance such as lifestyle, diet, emotions and stress.
The initial consultation will be along the lines of a normal acupuncture consultation, however, there will also be a full fertility review to establish your fertility history. Dietary and lifestyle advice, together with help, information and general fertility awareness for each partner will be provided.
Feelings of stress and anxiety are not uncommon for couples experiencing fertility issues. It is widely known that on-going stress can have a negative effect on our hormones and overall feelings of well-being. Acupuncture points to help counter these effects are, therefore, incorporated into the treatment plan. With stress levels reduced, not only will this help to promote feelings of calm but may also help regulate fertility hormones.
Ideally, it is best to start acupuncture three months before trying for a baby, or before your IVF cycle. This allows time for any lifestyle/dietary changes and treatment to take effect.
There is research to show that acupuncture may help to:
- Regulate fertility hormones
- Increase egg quality and production
- Enhance luteal function
- Increase blood flow to the reproductive organs
- Counteract the effects of polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Reduce stress and anxiety
Assisted Reproductive Techniques
Undergoing IVF can be an incredibly stressful experience for couples. There are several stages to IVF: down-regulation, stimulation, egg retrieval, implantation and the waiting period before the pregnancy test. Obviously people deal with the process in different ways, however, from my experience in clinic, I would say that the majority of those going through IVF find it to be an intense and emotional time. Acupuncture can be a great support to people as they go through the IVF process. The table below provides an outline of how acupuncture is incorporated alongside IVF.
Pre-IVF/Conception Care: The ideal time to start acupuncture for IVF is three months before the intended start date to allow time for any lifestyle/dietary changes and the treatment to take effect. |
Down Regulation Phase: Weekly sessions with the aim of helping to reduce the side effects of the drugs, for example, headaches, migraines and hot flushes. |
Ovarian Stimulation Phase- Egg Retrieval: Weekly sessions with the aim of encouraging follicular growth, improving circulation to the reproductive organs and thickening of the endometrial lining. Points to help calm and relax are also included. |
Embryo Transfer: Acupuncture is recommended within a 24 hour period before and after embryo transfer to prepare the body to receive the embryo, encourage relaxation and aid implantation. |
Implantation: On day 8 of embryo development, acupuncture is provided which aims to encourage embryo implantation on the day it would naturally happen. |
Research indicates that acupuncture during IVF may help to:
- Regulate fertility hormones
- Increase blood flow to the reproductive organs
- Increase egg production
- Regulate follicle stimulation hormone-receptor expression
- Normalise cortisol and prolactin levels on IVF medication days
- Promote embryo implantation
The links below will take you to the British Acupuncture Council’s website for unbiased information on the most up-to-date research on: