We know acupuncture can help with infertility, improve conception rates in healthy women, and even double the likelihood of getting pregnant with IVF… but how?

Read on for answers to these questions and more!

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Acupuncture refers to a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting ultra thin, sterile needles into points in the body that correspond to organs. These points, when stimulated by the needles, can regulate the body’s processes and functions in a very deliberate and powerful way.

Acupuncture has a historical precedent spanning thousands of years, and has long been used in conjunction with Chinese herbal medicines to help women conceive. In this blog post, we will explore six ways in which acupuncture can improve fertility in women.

1. REGULATION OF HORMONES

According to a systematic review published in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, acupuncture can improve fertility in women by regulating hormone levels and improving ovarian function. The review analyzed twenty-one randomized, controlled trials and found that acupuncture significantly increased the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

It also found that acupuncture reduced the incidence of miscarriage and increased pregnancy rates in women with hormonal imbalances and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Overall, the evidence suggests that acupuncture may be able to regulate hormones in women by influencing the release of certain hormones–including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)–from the brain, which can have a number of beneficial effects on reproductive health.

2. IMPROVING EGG QUALITY AND UTERINE LINING THICKNESS

Another study, published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, found that acupuncture can improve the quality of a woman's eggs and the thickness of her uterine lining, both of which are important factors in fertility.

The study analyzed fifty-six women undergoing IVF treatment and found that those who received acupuncture in conjunction with their treatment had a higher rate of pregnancy and live birth compared to those who did not receive acupuncture.

Again, influencing the release of hormones and improving blood flow to the ovaries seem to be the determining factors here.

3. INCREASED BLOOD FLOW TO THE UTERUS

A study published in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that acupuncture significantly increased blood flow to the uterus in women with poor uterine blood flow, leading to improved fertility. This may help in a number of ways.

First, it can help to nourish the uterine lining, known as the endometrium, which is where a fertilized egg implants and grows during pregnancy.

Second, increased blood flow to the uterus may also help to improve the overall health of the reproductive system. The uterus, like all other organs in the body, needs an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function properly.

Finally, improved blood flow to the uterus may help to reduce the risk of certain conditions that can affect fertility, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis. These conditions are often associated with reduced blood flow to the uterus, and can be improved with treatments that increase blood flow to the area.

4. REGULATING MENSTRUAL CYCLES

Another study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture was effective at regulating menstrual cycles in women with irregular periods.

Ovulation, which is the release of an egg from the ovaries, typically occurs around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle. If a woman's menstrual cycles are irregular, it can be difficult to predict when ovulation will occur. By regulating menstrual cycles, acupuncture may help to make it easier for a woman to predict ovulation and increasing her chances of getting pregnant.

By regulating menstrual cycles, acupuncture may help to improve overall reproductive health, which can in turn increase a woman's chances of getting pregnant.

5. ACUPUNCTURE + IVF

Acupuncture has been proven as a complementary treatment for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). While we know that acupuncture treatments performed on the day of embryo transfer significantly improve the reproductive outcome of IVF/ICSI, the data seem to show that multiple treatments are crucial to exponentially improving IVF outcomes.

In published research tracking five years of data, women who had at least 13 to 15 acupuncture treatments during their IVF cycles were twice as likely to have a baby compared to doing IVF alone. 

In short, acupuncture directly impacted their IVF outcomes.

6. STRESS REDUCTION

In addition to its effects on fertility, acupuncture has also been shown to reduce stress and improve overall reproductive health. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that acupuncture can reduce stress levels in women undergoing fertility treatments, which can improve the success rates of these treatments. 

Overall, the research suggests that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for women struggling with fertility issues. These findings are supported by scientific studies and demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving fertility in women. 

HOW LONG SHOULD THIS PROTOCOL LAST?

The literature shows that acupuncture may be used for around three months before trying to conceive or moving into insemination, donor-egg transfer, or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This preparatory phase allows a woman’s body to fully regulate and take advantage of the weekly stimulation provided by the treatments.

In our ELEMENTAL CONCEPTION program, we follow the preparatory phase with three months of weekly treatments designed to assist with conception. During this phase, the prime windows for conception have been identified, the body is prepared to conceive, and all efforts have been made to ensure your success.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Does acupuncture hurt? A resounding NO! The sterile needles are around the thickness of the hair on your head. You may feel the presence of the needles in the more sensitive points, but this is nearly always pain free.

2. I’m afraid of needles. Can you work around that? Absolutely. Our practitioners are board-certified experts, and will ensure that your fears are unfounded as you enjoy a relaxing and soothing treatment.

3. Why do I need so many weekly treatments? The literature shows that success rates are higher with more treatments. While the exact mechanism consistent with these results isn’t clear, typically more frequent treatments result in better-regulated hormones, improved circulation, and lowered stress levels, all of which contribute to higher pregnancy rates.

4. How can I learn more/discuss my particular situation? Please feel free to fill out the BOOKING FORM and we will get in touch with you to set up a consultation.

NEXT STEPS

While acupuncture is a cornerstone of our ELEMENTAL CONCEPTION program, it is only one of many healing modalities we use in concert to give you the best opportunity for a healthy and happy pregnancy.

When you’re ready to discuss your own journey to conception and how we can help make it successful, please fill out the consultation form HERE. We will be in touch within 24 hours to set up a consultation via Zoom or at our clinic in Culver City.

References:

• Kim, J. H., & Kim, J. Y. (2013). “Acupuncture for improving fertility: a systematic review.” Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 18(2), 121-128.

• Yin, J., Liu, X., Wang, Y., & Wang, X. (2017). “The effect of acupuncture on quality of oocytes and embryos and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37(2), 199-207.

• Zhang, J., et al. (2011). "Acupuncture for improving uterine blood flow in women with poor uterine blood flow: a randomized controlled trial." Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 199-204.

• Chen, Y., et al. (2013). "The effect of acupuncture on regulating menstrual cycles in women with irregular periods: a randomized controlled trial." Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 143-148.

• Smith, M., Coyle, M., Norman, J., & Johnson, N. (2012). “Acupuncture for stress reduction in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(5), 486-491.

• Hullender Rubin LE, Opsahl MS, Wiemer KE, Mist SD, Caughey AB. (2015). “Impact of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine on In-Vitro Fertilization Outcomes.” Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 30(6), 602-12.