Acupuncture and Infertility
Acupuncture originated in the East and was presented to us several years ago but only few have knowledge about its good effects to the body. It is the process of inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points of the body to relieve pain and to help a number of medical conditions. Acupuncture typically regulates the blood pressure by stimulating the central nervous system. It releases endorphins which inhibits pain and gives the body the feeling of wellness and also releases neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which help the body to heal itself.
In addition, acupuncture can be used side by side with infertility treatments in order to address issues like hormonal imbalances. Since it helps regulate the body’s system, blood flow is increased to the vital organs and hormone levels are effectively regulated. It also improves ovarian and follicular function. It can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining. Plus, acupuncture may improve the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). An increasing number of fertility specialists and centers offer it as a part of their IVF treatments. With this, the embryo transfer process in IVF was shown to have significant improvements resulting more often in a pregnancy.
Acupuncture is often combined,too, with herbs to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with irregular cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.
Going through fertility treatments can be extremely stressful for the couple and for the woman in particular. And this is the main reason why acupuncture is recommended for it is a great way to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Women are also encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments during the pre and post embryo transfer. They may undergo this process for three to four months during pregnancy. Continuing with acupuncture during this period seems to also have a therapeutic effect.
Unfortunately, there are few risks when using acupuncture with infertility treatments. The biggest risk is that a miscarriage may develop if an incorrect procedure in done especially when a woman is pregnant. That is why it is highly advised to get a specialized acupuncturist. Also, women may also try an electro-acupuncture as a good alternative to conventional medical painkillers during labor. It can also result in shorter hospitalization thereby decreasing the amount of expenses incurred.
