Acupuncture may be known for treating pain and managing various symptoms, but did you know it’s also effective for improving fertility?

If you have difficulty getting pregnant, consistent acupuncture treatments can boost your success. It’s a non-invasive holistic approach that addresses your physical, emotional, and energetic health to pinpoint the source of infertility.

If you want to know more about how it can help you get pregnant and give birth to a healthy child, this article will serve as your guide as we discuss everything you need about acupuncture for fertility.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of Ancient Chinese Medicine that aims to balance your body’s flow of energy. It believes that when your energy flow gets blocked, you get sick or develop diseases.

Acupuncture remedies this by inserting needles into certain points of your body to remove the blockages and restore your energy flow. From a scientific perspective, this stimulates your nervous system, which results in improving your blood circulation and releases endorphins and serotonin.

Acupuncture has shown positive effects on managing pain and symptoms of several diseases. It’s also effective for improving fertility, increasing your chances of pregnancy.

How does acupuncture help with fertility?

Inserting needles into your skin may not be the first method that comes into your mind when treating infertility, but acupuncture has actually shown positive results.

For women, acupuncture helps improve the blood circulation to your reproductive organs, regulates your menstrual cycle, and improves egg quality. It also addresses hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and hypothyroidism.

It also relaxes you to lower your stress and anxiety levels, which is important if you undergo In vitro fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatments.

Although acupuncture may not cure male infertility, the treatments can be effective in increasing sperm count, quality, and motility.

Who should do acupuncture for fertility?

You should try acupuncture for fertility if:

You’re struggling to get pregnant
You are over 35 years old and want to increase your chances of getting pregnant
You have tried IVF and IUI treatments with no success
You have been pregnant before but have difficulty holding the pregnancy
You’re planning on freezing your eggs for future fertility success

If you’re suffering from an acute or chronic disease, talk to your doctor first to ensure acupuncture won’t further your symptoms. But if you have a metal allergy or blood disorder or are taking blood thinning medication, this treatment may not be suitable for you.

What to expect from your first fertility acupuncture appointment?

On your first session, your acupuncturist will ask about your medical history to assess your health and goals from the treatment. From there, they’ll create a personalized treatment plan that will address the imbalances in your reproductive health. Then you’ll proceed to your first acupuncture session to start your treatment.

Although the process is similar to regular acupuncture, treatment for fertility will focus on the current phase of your cycle and position needles on different points on your abdomen and pelvic areas.

How long does it take to get pregnant with acupuncture?

Acupuncture for fertility treatments isn’t one-size-fits-all, so the results will depend on the person.

Depending on your medical history and fertility goals, your acupuncturist may recommend you do 10-12 sessions to start – where you will do 2 sessions a week. If you see positive results, your acupuncturist will adjust your treatment plan to improve your fertility further.

Most providers suggest you start your treatment 3-6 months before conception to get the most out of its benefits. The chances of you getting pregnant may also increase if you and your partner make changes to your diet and lifestyle.

This can be incorporating exercises, taking vitamin supplements, and eating a balanced diet. Your acupuncturist may also recommend you take Chinese fertility herbs to aid the process.

Can acupuncture increase implantation?

Acupuncture has shown positive results for IVF and IUI procedures because it helps improve the blood flow in your uterus, stimulate egg production, and reduce the chance of miscarriage.

In a study of 72 infertile women undergoing IVF, the group that was given three 30-minute acupuncture sessions before and after undergoing embryo transfer showed that it increased their pregnancy rate.

If you’re struggling with recurrent implantation failure, you should also give acupuncture a try. A study shows that it improves your biochemical and clinical pregnancy rate compared to those who didn’t receive the treatment.

Ready to start your acupuncture treatment?

If you want to try acupuncture for fertility, you can book an appointment at Integrative Healing Arts. Their signature Fertility Acupuncture Program combines acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and energy healing to increase your chances of getting pregnant. They also offer pain management, stress management, and anti-aging and rejuvenation services to promote overall health. If you have questions or inquiries, feel free to reach out to them now.