How does Acupuncture & Herbs Help Fertility?
Many Asian Nations have used acupuncture & Herbs to regulate the female reproductive system for thousands of years. Clinical and laboratory studies have shown that acupuncture affects the central and peripheral nervous systems. Precisley placed needles trigger the brain to release endorphins that help to moderate the stress response and help to balance hormone levels in the body.
Research has shown that acupuncture has a positive effect and no adverse effects on pregnancy outcome.
Acupuncture & Herbs improve fertility in many ways:
- Improving sperm count and mobility
- Improving egg quality and ovulation
- Reducing stress and anxiety associated with infertility
- Normalizing hormone production and endocrine systems
- Improving blood flow to the reproductive organs ( uterus and testes)
- Decreasing chance of miscarriage
- Decreasing inflammation that may be causing infertility
- Regulating the menstrual cycle
- Increasing the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) & intrauterine insemination (IUI)
When to Do it & Treatment Protocols
We believe in integrated Reproductive Medicine which combines Eastern, Western, and other modalities of healing together to increase your chances of having a baby. We focus on healing and improving your overall and fertility health prior to treatment because a healthy body is a fertile body.
During the past 40 years an increasing amount of research has emerged showing the benefits of acupuncture with IVF and other fertility treatments. Acupuncture treatment has been linked to more babies, pregnancies, live births, and fewer miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.
When to do Acupuncture for Fertility
Experts recommend acupuncture for fertility is done during the following times:
- 30-90 days prior to any fertility treatment
- During any fertility treatment
- During pregnancy
- Preparing healthy pregnancy for Mom and baby
The sooner you can begin acupuncture treatment, the better. Research has shown that some treatment is better than no treatment, but acupuncture’s effectiveness increases with the number of acupuncture sessions prior to fertility treatment. Sperm and eggs both take approximately 90 days to develop. As such, we recommend you begin acupuncture treatment at least 3 months prior to treatment and continue throughout whatever treatment you are pursuing.
Below are our recommended timelines for receiving acupuncture during the three months prior to fertility treatment as well as during ovulation induction, IUI cycles, and IVF cycles.
Bottom Line about Fertility Acupuncture and Prescribed Herbs
Acupuncture and Prescribed Herbs tonic is one of many ways that you can increase your fertility by customizing treatments depending on your body condition and symptoms, not an invasive surgical or Fluctuation of Hormone surging. It can positively impact many aspects of the fertility process including egg quality, Sperm quality implantation success, and pregnancy outcomes. We understand that fertility treatments are a long journey that may be stressful and ruin your lifestyle or even scary, But we hope this article has helped you to understand the benefits of fertility acupuncture and ease some of your concerns about treatment. If you are struggling to get pregnant or experiencing infertility and you are considering acupuncture treatment, please contact our Healing Tree Wellness Center, Dr. Katherine Cheon.
Abstract for Acupuncture for Fertility
- Acupuncture is a great way to naturally improve your fertility.
- For women, acupuncture is recommended to treat endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and ovarian reserve issues.
- For men, acupuncture is recommended to improve sperm quality.
- Acupuncture is an effective complementary treatment for patients undergoing Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertility (IVF) treatment.
- Sperm and eggs both take about 90 days to develop. For best results, both men and women should begin their acupuncture for fertility protocol approximately 3 months in advance of any planned fertility treatment.
- A large systematic review of past studies found that acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65% compared with the control groups.
Causes of Fertility
- Amenorrhea/ Irregular menstruation
- Ovulation Factors
- Fallopian Tube Factors (partial tube blockage)
- Immunological Factors (NK cells, anti sperm antibody)
- Cervical (cervical mucus hostility factors, Postcoital Test Abnormal)
- Uterine Factors (such as fibroids/Thin)
- Premature Ovarian Failure POF
- Elevated FSH, High FSH (level >10 on day 3)
- Elevated Estradiol, High Estradiol (E2) (level>50 on day 3)
- Poor egg quality, poor ovarian reserve
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS (LH/FSH ratio is abnormal, high testosterone levels, irregular menses)
- Luteal Phase Defect LPD
- Thyroid Factors ( Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroglobulin Antibodies abnormal, Thyroxine Peroxidase Antibodies abnormal)
- Prolactin (PRL) is abnormal
- Frequency miscarriage
- Frequent failure of IVF and IUI
- Frequent chemical Pregnancy
- Blood Clotting Issue
- MTHFR Mutations positives (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase)
- Endometriosis
- Thin and unresponsive Endometrium
- Irregular and Anovulatory Menstrual Cycles
- Pelvic Inflammmatory Disease PID
- Infertility due to Stress
- Unexplained Infertility
How Acupuncture Works:
- Increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
- Thicken the endometrical lining
- Help produce more follicles
- Improves egg (ova) quality
- Reduces High FSH and High E2
- Reduces High Prolactin
- Reduces the chance of miscarriage
- Regulates and stabilize hormone levels
- Balances Immune function
- Regulate Thyroid Hormone levels
- Stress relief, energy improvment, controls weight
- Improves the outcome of ART procedures, increase the success rate of IVF/IUI
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been successfully used to treat infertility for several thousands years with no or less side effects in Asia. I have been great success with Natural remedy for my patients and getting popular in the U.S and world widely.
How T.C.M develops illness diagnosis and Treatment ?
Check up all of conditons, weak, overactive, or stagnation of Five of major organ: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney
Six of sub organ: Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Gallbladder, Stomach, Urinary Bladder, Uterus
Wind/Cold/Cool/Dampness/Dryness/Heat/Imbalance of Nature Energy.
Modern lifestyle accumulate Toxins/ Stress/ mind, soul and body imbalance.
Above all, the conditions is making us ill.
Acupuncture opens the body meridian channel stimulating Qi (body enforcing energy) and blood flow better. Contribute whole body energizing and balance. Prescription Herbs are the correction of weak, overactive, stagnation of our body for stimulating homeostasis (uterus wall thickening PCOS)
T.C.M is three dimensional diagnosis apply not only symptoms basis and tailored treatment. Infertility is the cause involved above all of illness partially. Practitioners need extensive and deep knowledge required.