Acupuncture For Fertility

The road to parenthood doesn’t always run smoothly, unfortunately, and conception can be a struggle for many people for many different reasons. There are various fertility treatments and options available to help maximise the chances of success, but one complementary practice that can be of benefit is the ancient art of acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a very common and widespread practice that can be used alongside other more conventional medical treatments. It helps to restore balance to the Qi, an energy force that traditional Chinese practitioners believe flows through channels in our bodies, known as meridians.

The treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into the skin and muscles at various relevant acupoints around the body to help promote natural healing responses. For infertility treatments, needles are often positioned in the abdomen to help target reproductive organs.

There are many potential benefits of having acupuncture if you’re trying to conceive. These include improving menstrual cycle regulation, increasing blood flow to reproductive organs, improving sperm count and motility, and reducing stress and anxiety.

Addressing stress and anxiety, in particular, is one of the biggest benefits when trying for a baby. Struggling with infertility issues can cause a huge amount of distress and upset, but acupuncture has been found to be particularly effective as a remedy, helping to stimulate the body’s natural feel-good hormones (endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin), while reducing stress hormones like cortisol.

How successful is acupuncture for conception?

While there are, of course, people who swear by acupuncture as the definitive way to finally conceive if you’ve been trying for a while, it’s important to note that the science is still inconclusive.

There are studies that suggest that acupuncture can improve ovarian function and sperm quality, but note that there is currently no significant body of evidence to indicate it can help with conception or treat the underlying cause of infertility.

However, one major research review recently concluded that acupuncture can positively alter how female reproductive hormones are secreted, which has the potential to help women respond more favourably to natural stimulation by the brain or ovarian stimulation medication.

Acupuncture can also be very beneficial in reducing depression, stress and anxiety, which are very common concerns for people on their infertility journey. Given that studies have also shown stress to be a risk factor for miscarriage, seeing an acupuncturist could help reduce the chances of fertility problems manifesting later down the line.

It’s usually safe to have acupuncture sessions when you’re trying to conceive, but it’s important that you find a certified, licensed and experienced professional who has treated people for infertility issues in the past.

Here at Acuwellness, you’ll find my integrated approach to acupuncture of particular benefit, combining traditional Chinese medicine with other styles and techniques, including cupping, massage, meditation and moxibustion. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with me today to find out how I can help.