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I have been treating infertility and habitual miscarriage with acupuncture in
Recent research has given much support to acupuncture as an effective treatment for infertility.
“A review of medical literature regarding the benefits of acupuncture to women's fertility reveals that the ancient technique can help reduce stress, increase blood flow to the reproductive organs and help normalize ovulation--all of which can help a woman conceive.”
Also one “study has also 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.”
“Researchers have also discovered that acupuncture can boost blood flow to women's reproductive organs, providing them with better nourishment. In addition, acupuncture appears to improve the lining of the uterus, the place where the embryo becomes embedded after conception.”
Source: Reuter’s Health: Fertility and Sterility 2002;78:1149-1153.
In addition,
- Researchers said they have increased success rates by almost 50% in women having in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- A comprehensive analysis of acupuncture treatment for breech position discovered that a remarkable 80% of foetuses turned into normal (cephalic) presentation after treatment.
- One of the first acupuncture trials in
- A recent trial revealed that acupuncture is excellent for the treatment of back-pain, and is therefore a side-effect free treatment during pregnancy.
Acupuncture can also balance hormone levels, for example in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS, and high FSH. Acupuncture promotes ovulation, increases the blood supply to the uterus, as well as providing more subtle enhancements such as reducing anxiety, promoting calm and treating insomnia. Acupuncture can even resolve anovulation to bring about normalization of the menstrual cycle and resolve amenorrhea. In difficult cases, such as endometriosis, acupuncture can help by dampening the specific immune response which might otherwise interfere with the sperm’s and embryo’s chances of survival under these conditions.
Acupuncture also has a positive effect on low sperm count, poor morphology and slow motility.
IUI and IVF
Acupuncture is proven to have a positive effect on the successful outcome of IUI and IVF treatments. Again, it works primarily by increasing blood flow to the uterus, and preventing spasm in the uterus and fallopian tubes. It also greatly reduces symptoms typically associated with infertility drugs.
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, vigor and energy) the chances per month of becoming pregnant is 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, 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.
Self Help
These are some of the things you can do 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 marijuana. Even moderate consumption of marijuana 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.
Click Acupuncture and Fertility - Maybe Alternative Baby by Sally Brown, pub. Guardian Newspaper
For acupuncture for infertility, IVF or IUI in London, South London or South West London contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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