We’ve all heard about the wonders of acupuncture when it comes to pain and stress relief. But did you know about the increasing popularity of acupuncture in treating fertility?
According to the CDC, about 26% of women between the ages of 15 to 49 face difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. That’s why an increasing number of these women are turning to an age-old traditional Chinese treatment to improve their chances of getting pregnant: acupuncture. Keep reading to learn why.
How Can Acupuncture Treat Infertility in Women?
Improved Blood Flow to Reproductive Organs
In this ancient Chinese medical practice, there are several pressure points and techniques that have been proven to enhance blood flow to the reproductive organs. Improved blood circulation results in the thickening of the endometrial lining, which in turn facilitates implantation, decreases uterine contractility, improves ovarian function, and produces better quality eggs.
Reduces Stress Levels
Life can be quite stressful by itself, even without the added pressure of trying to conceive. We all know that progesterone is an important hormone when it comes to getting and staying pregnant—not only does it help thicken the uterine lining in preparation for a fertilized egg, but it also nourishes the uterus during pregnancy.
A spike in cortisol (stress hormone) levels causes your progesterone levels to dip. This can make getting pregnant harder and also increases your risk of miscarriage. Fortunately, acupuncture can decrease stress and depression in women, two major factors that contribute to infertility.
Promotes Hormone Balance
The endocrine system is a complex network of hormones that affect every aspect of our physiological processes. When our hormone levels are unbalanced or disrupted, it can cause serious health problems, including difficulties with conception.
Acupuncture has the ability to get to the root of what causes hormonal imbalances and guide the body back to homeostasis. This is why acupuncture has proven effective in the treatment of disorders caused by hormone imbalance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, endometriosis, and issues with ovarian reserve.
Acupuncture and IVF
Many experts suggest that acupuncture can be an effective complementary treatment to IVF and even fertility drugs. In fact, acupuncture is known to improve IVF success rates by 65%. That is why women are usually advised to start acupuncture three months before they start in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). It is also known to help relieve bloating, nausea, and other side effects of fertility drugs.
How Can Acupuncture Treat Male Infertility?
When talking about acupuncture treatment for infertility, women are usually the focus of the discussion. But men are found to be solely responsible for 20 to 30% of all infertility cases.
Fortunately, the ancient Chinese medical practice has can help enhance sperm quality, quantity, motility, and vitality. It can also treat low testosterone levels and help with semen production, sex drive, and erectile dysfunction. Studies also show that testosterone along with moxibustion can boost testosterone levels.
Whether it is to increase the success rate of IVF or to boost your testosterone levels, Natural Life Acupuncture and Wellness in Albuquerque, New Mexico, can help you. Our team specializes in fertility acupuncture and will provide you with holistic infertility treatments. Request appointment today.