
Whether you're just starting the journey to conceive naturally, have been on this path for a while, or you are going through IVF to get pregnant, fertility acupuncture offers a safe and natural way to support and optimise natural conception or assist in the IVF process.
There are a number of ways in which acupuncture can influence fertility.
Hormone regulation
Acupuncture helps balance crucial hormones like estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinising hormone (LH) through the stimulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis. This stimulation contributes to optimizing the quality and regularity of menstrual cycles, particularly in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Reducing inflammation
Inflammatory conditions within the fertility system have the potential to compromise fertility by causing harm to both eggs and sperm, while also diminishing the likelihood of successful implantation. To optimize the implantation process and prompt the body to embrace a new pregnancy, it is essential for our immune systems to be as calm and regulated as it can be. Acupuncture can help to mitigate systemic inflammation and harmonize immune factors, contributing to the facilitation of conception.
Reducing stress levels
In our busy lives, we're all susceptible to stress-related issues which can negatively impact fertility by causing hormonal imbalances. While alleviating stress may not directly address underlying physical barriers to conception, it can help you cope with and navigate fertility challenges better and help with your overall sense of wellbeing.
Blood flow and improved ovarian function
Optimal blood circulation to the ovaries and uterus is essential for fertility. Acupuncture can significantly increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, boosting egg quality and facilitating successful implantation of a fertilized egg. There is also growing evidence that acupuncture can influence ovarian function and ovarian reserve quality.
Sperm count and quality
Healthy sperm is, of course, essential for optimal fertility. Research suggests promising outcomes for supporting sperm health through acupuncture. While it is important to recognize that the effectiveness can vary based on individual conditions and underlying causes, a 2021 study on treatment of OAT (oligoasthenoteratospermia) concluded that acupuncture combined with medication can significantly enhance male fertility. In the study, sperm motility increased from 25% to 33% after two acupuncture sessions and further improved to 67% following consecutive treatments.
Acupuncture for IVF support
It takes approximately 100 days for both eggs and sperm to mature. Therefore, if you're starting an assisted cycle, such as IUI or IVF, for best results it is recommended to begin acupuncture at least three months earlier. Acupuncture, along with implementing changes in diet and lifestyle, can make a real difference in sperm and egg quality and prepare the body for the treatment.