How does acupuncture help with fertility?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective modality which involves the insertion of small, thin needles into specific acupuncture points on the body with the aim of stimulating the nerve endings below the surface of the skin. The acupuncture points correspond with different organs in the body. The needles can be manipulated and moved in a specific way to elicit a response in the body.
For fertility, acupuncture works by placing the needles along the acupuncture points relating to the reproductive organs and the nervous system.
Acupuncture has shown to improve the blood flow to the ovaries by inhibiting activity in the sympathetic nervous system which is triggered by stress. When you get stressed, your body activates the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight response) which can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis; these are the main endocrine glands associated with reproductive health. Stress also causes your ovarian arteries to constrict, reducing the blood flow to the ovaries.
Acupuncture can improve the thickness of the endometrial lining (lining of the uterus) to assist with implantation by increasing blood flow to the area.
Benefits of acupuncture for fertility:
- Balancing both male and female hormone levels. Balancing both male and female hormone levels so the body produces the necessary reproductive hormones for conception.
- Regulating a female’s menstrual cycle.Regulating a female’s menstrual cycle by enhancing the communication between the brain and the ovaries to promote ovulation and normal hormone production.
- Enhancing blood flow to the uterus and ovariesEnhancing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries which can improve the chances of implantation.
- Optimizing sperm healthOptimizing sperm health by increasing sperm count and improving motility.
- Reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting relaxation Reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting relaxation which is essential for couples trying to conceive. When you are stressed, your body produces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline which negatively affect your reproductive hormones. Chronic stress can impact a woman’s menstrual cycle and impair ovulation; for men, it can reduce testosterone levels and sperm quality.
How many sessions of acupuncture do you need for fertility?
Using acupuncture to boost fertility can be very beneficial. The number of acupuncture sessions you’ll require depends on your personal constitution, medical history, individual needs and how you respond to the acupuncture treatment. Typically, ten to twelve sessions are recommended as a starting point. Your acupuncturist will advise you on how many sessions of acupuncture might be required during the first session once they have taken a case history and assessed your needs.
