Having acupuncture has been shown, in some studies, to have a positive influence on pregnancy outcomes, as it improves blood flow and can reduce stress and anxiety in both men and women. There has been no conclusive evidence to show that acupuncture can help you conceive, but acupuncture points may induce follicle stimulating hormones that improve blood circulation through ovarian stimulation.
Acupuncture is not necessary for successful embryo implantation and does not fix fertility issues. However, if you are curious about including acupuncture in your fertility plan, it will not have a negative effect on your chances of conceiving. Some individuals find it beneficial, as acupuncture can regulate hormones and reduce stress.
What is acupuncture treatment?
Acupuncture is a form traditional Chinese medicine and is now used widely in the Western world. It is considered a complementary medicine, which involves puncturing the skin with thin needles at specific acupuncture points on the body, in order to alleviate pain, relieve stress, improve sleep quality and treat physical, mental and emotional conditions.
Acupuncture and fertility
Some studies show that acupuncture can be beneficial to fertility because it may assist in regulating stress hormones, and this positively impacts ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
For males and females, acupuncture may reduce stress, which may impact your fertility and overall well-being, as stress can be caused when diagnosed with unexplained infertility.
Acupuncture for relaxation
The best approach to integrating acupuncture into your fertility plan is to see it as a stress reducing and relaxing treatment. Stress alone is unlikely to cause infertility. However, infertility can cause stress, and it’s possible that that stress can have a negative impact on a couple’s chances of conceiving.
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that has helped people manage their stress levels for thousands of years. The process of inserting needles into acupuncture points on the body releases tension and stimulates energy flow. Having acupuncture can also lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase 'feel good' hormones. It can help both partners trying to conceive by helping their muscles relax and their minds feel calmer.
What will an acupuncture consultation look like?
As acupuncture is a holistic treatment and often used alongside conventional medicine, your acupuncturist will want to know your full medical history and talk to you at length about your fertility journey so far.
They will set up a personalised, individual plan for your treatment, explain what they will be doing and why, tell you how many sessions they would recommend and try to put you at ease before you get started. While many people are nervous prior to starting acupuncture sessions, people often relax into it very quickly, and some patients relax so much that they even fall asleep during acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture and IVF treatment
Acupuncture is often used as a complementary treatment with IVF. In some studies, IVF outcomes increased in the groups that participated in acupuncture before and after embryo transfer.These studies showed a significant difference by using acupuncture treatments as an...
