ACUPUNCTURE FOR INFERTILITY

I have been treating infertility and habitual miscarriage with acupuncture in London since the 1980’s. Since then acupuncture has become widely recognized as an effective treatment for infertility, on its own or in conjunction with orthodox reproductive medicine. In one study it was shown that women who used acupuncture without any other fertility treatments were just as likely to conceive in the same period of time as women who took a fertility drug. [Source: Reuter’s Health: Fertility and Sterility 2002;78:1149-1153].

Other researchers have shown that acupuncture increases the success rates for women having in-vitro fertilization – IVF – by almost 50%. The studies show that acupuncture reduces stress and increases blood flow to the reproductive organs, all of which improves the success rate of IVF and

IUI. Importantly, acupuncture helps prevent cramping in the womb after IVF treatment, and this not only helps prevent expulsion of the embryo after IVF but it is also important in helping to prevent ectopic pregnancy, as well as assisting implantation of the embryo.

Acupuncture can help increase fertility in other ways too. It can counteract the effects of polycystic ovaries or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS or for those with high FSH levels. Acupuncture promotes ovulation, whether you have anovulatory cycles or amenorrhea with polycystic ovaries. In addition, it provides more subtle enhancements such as reducing anxiety, promoting calm and treating insomnia, all of which is helpful for those taking fertility drugs.

In endometriosis the endometrial tissue found outside the womb can trigger an immune response which can prevent successful conception. In these cases acupuncture can help by dampening the specific immune response, as well as reducing painful periods commonly associated with this condition.

I have also successfully treated low sperm count, poor morphology and slow motility with acupuncture.

In addition,

A comprehensive analysis of acupuncture treatment for breech position discovered that 80% of fetuses turned into normal (cephalic) presentation after treatment.
One of the first acupuncture studies in Great Britain (1986) proved its effectiveness in treating vomiting and nausea and is therefore one of the safest methods of treatment for morning sickness.
A recent trial revealed that acupuncture is excellent for the treatment of back-pain and is therefore a side-effect free treatment during pregnancy.

Self Help

It is generally advisable for both parents to prepare for conception for at least four months beforehand. These are some of the things you can do, in addition to having acupuncture, to encourage fertility:

Come off the contraceptive pill some time before you start trying for a child. Even though there is a suggestion that fertility increases in the first one or two months immediately after coming off the contraceptive pill, it is recommended that you allow one month off for each year that you have been on the pill.
Stop smoking – smoking can cause irreversible effects on ovarian function by accelerating the loss of eggs. It also increases the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, significantly reduces the chances of a successful outcome of IVF, and lowers male fertility (sperm count, motility and increased abnormalities). Passive smoking is also seriously damaging to female fertility.
Significantly reduce alcohol intake. Alcohol inhibits ovulation and impairs the sperm’s ability to move through the fallopian tubes.
Cut out cannabis and marijuana. Even moderate consumption of cannabis has a toxic effect on the developing egg and impairs ovulation.
Eat a healthy, well balanced diet. Make sure you get enough Vitamin E and B including folic acid.

Success with Acupuncture for Infertility

Here are just some of the comments from acupuncture patients who have come to me with a range of problems including amenorrhea, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, poor response to fertility drugs, habitual miscarriage. I am committed to protecting the privacy of all my patients and for this reason have added neither initials nor part-addresses to these testimonials, but I can assure you they are all real women who are now also happy mothers.

“We cannot thank you enough for what you did for us. As you know we thought we would never be able to have a child and now we have gorgeous...”

“A massive thank you for all your effort, skill and work – we wouldn’t be here today without you. A pure miracle!”

“Thank you so much for all your help. You’ve made our dreams come true.”

“Thank you so much for your treatment which enabled me to get pregnant with my beloved boy. He’s an absolute joy.”

“Thank you so much for your support and great work. …We wouldn’t be here without you.”

“Thanks for everything in the past year. Now I’m suddenly with a 4 week old baby!”

Fertility and Mis-conceptions

A majority of women have grown up with the idea that pregnancy happens easily and that one must therefore take precautions. However, pregnancy followed by the delivery of a healthy baby does not happen as easily as one might think. The facts are that for women in their late teens and twenties the chances of pregnancy in a given month is less than 25% (they have to try, on average, for four months), despite perfect timing of intercourse and the release of a healthy egg! Reproductively healthy women in their thirties will, on average, have to try for ten months (or they have a one in ten chance for each fertile period). Once women get into their early forties, despite all appearances to the contrary (athleticism, youthful appearance, vigour and energy) the odds per month of becoming pregnant are reduced to 3%, or, they will have to try for almost three years, if there are no other barriers (bar age) to conception. The chances at all ages are further reduced if the man has a low sperm count, poor morphology, or low motility, or if the woman has anovulatory cycles, short luteal phase (less than ten days according to Western medicine), polycystic ovaries PCOS, hormonal insufficiency, thin endometrium, endometriosis, or physical barriers such as fibroids or blocked fallopian tubes.

Such statistics might appear to contradict our own experience – the conceptions we have heard about that take place during drunken one-night stands or the women who discover that their menopause turned into motherhood. These incidences are rare, which is why these stories circulate so quickly through the grapevine.

So don't worry if you don't conceive even though you have tried for a baby at exactly the right time. This does not, on its own, suggest that you have any particular barrier to conception. However, for all age groups, acupuncture improves the chances of conception through stimulating ovulation, regulating hormonal cycles, promoting the function of the corpus luteum (increasing progesterone production) and increasing the flow of blood to the uterus.

Creativity, and producing children is arguably the most creative endeavour a human being undertakes, requires whole being involvement. Physical, mental and emotional components are all important, and the harmonious integration of these more subtle aspects of our being can help create the fertile conditions necessary for conception and a full-term healthy pregnancy. This, I believe, is acupuncture's most important role in relation to infertility and habitual miscarriage.

Click Acupuncture and Fertility - Maybe Alternative Baby by Sally Brown, pub. Guardian Newspaper

For acupuncture for infertility, IVF or IUI in London, South London, West London or South West London contact
roisin@acupunctureworks.co.uk