Acupuncture has shown to be effective in treating infertility in both men and women. By enhancing sperm quality and ovary function, as well as harmonizing the endocrine system and hormones, acupuncture can be deemed a successful treatment in restoring fertility in patients.
Acupuncture, an alternative medicine, originated in China and is currently used all around the world. People who are experiencing infertility may benefit from acupuncture, especially when paired with orthodox medication. It could be useful in increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, reducing stress, and managing hormonal abnormalities. Let’s dive a little deeper into this.
What is Fertility?
Fertility refers to a person’s or a couple’s ability to reproduce through normal sexual activity or Fertility refers to a woman’s inherent ability to conceive a child. If they have frequent intercourse without contraception, almost 90% of healthy, fertile women can conceive within a year.
Normal fertility requires the man to produce enough healthy sperm and the female to produce viable eggs, the sperm to move through open channels from the male testes to the female fallopian tubes, the penetration of a healthy egg, and the fertilized egg to be implanted in the uterine lining. Infertility can be caused by a problem with any of these phases. Fertility, on the other hand, does not come naturally to everyone. After one year of unprotected sexual intercourse, about 11% of couples will experience infertility—the inability to conceive naturally. Fertility is a problem that affects both men and women.
Infertility is defined by medical professionals as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. Infertility can affect both men and women, and both men and women can take actions to enhance their fertility. Fertility issues in women can be caused by issues with the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus. Male reproductive difficulties can be caused by abnormalities with the testes, vas deferens, prostate gland, or seminal vesicles.
Symptoms of Infertility
It’s not uncommon for a couple to learn they have a reproductive problem after a year of trying unsuccessfully to conceive. Many causes of infertility are “silent,” with no visible signs. The following indicators, on the other hand, may suggest a reproductive issue:
- You’re 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for at least six months.
- You’re under 35 years old and haven’t become pregnant after a year of unprotected sexual activity.
- You have lost two or more pregnancies in a row.
- Do you have any infertility risk factors?
The following are the most common signs of infertility:
- Menstrual periods that are irregular.
- Menstrual cramps and unusually light or heavy blood.
- Periods that are unusually heavy or menstrual bleeding that is unusual.
- Pelvic pain or discomfort during sexual activity.
- Sexual dysfunction is a common problem (including erectile dysfunction or low libido).
Acupuncture as a Treatment of Infertility
Acupuncture aids fertility therapy by restoring endocrine system balance and function (thyroid problems) and regulating hormones. Acupuncture has been shown to help with PCOS, reduced ovarian reserve, fibroids, endometriosis, and poor sperm quality in studies.
Some of the medications used to treat infertility have unpleasant side effects. Acupuncture can assist with mood fluctuations, nausea, and bloating. Infertility is stressful enough, but when you add medicine, injections, planned doctor visits, surgeries, and the hope that treatment will be effective, it becomes even more stressful. And, like a vicious spiral, the stress you’re under triggers a physiological reaction that might make therapy more difficult. Acupuncture is extremely effective in lowering stress levels and promoting relaxation. For this reason, our professionals offer acupuncture to help aid our patients.
What Studies Say About Acupuncture and Fertility?
Infertility can affect women who are unable to stay pregnant. Infertility affects roughly 12% of women aged 15 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source.
Both a male and female element may play a role in 35 percent of couples with reproductive troubles, according to Trusted Source. In roughly 8% of cases of infertility in couples actively attempting to conceive, doctors find male factors alone.
When acupuncture and an egg-producing boosting medicine (such as clomid) were compared, the pregnancy rates were not equal, according to studies. Those who did not undergo IVF had a 50% probability of becoming pregnant. While our Encino acupuncture practice is a great supporter of more natural ways to fertility, it should be emphasized that acupuncture paired with western procedures like IVF can dramatically improve your odds.
Acupuncture has been found to boost the development of just one egg when compared to fertility medications used in IVF. Clomid, for example, has been demonstrated to aid in the stimulation and release of many eggs. As a result, fertility specialists feel that acupuncture cannot replace fertility medicines since their success rate is higher than this conventional method of enhancing fertility.
Effectiveness of Acupuncture
Several types of reproductive issues can be treated with acupuncture in both men and women. Furthermore, due to the numerous physical and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, it can be a period of pain that acupuncture can help with. Acupuncture can help control ovulation and make it more predictable. It can help balance hormones, making fertility treatments more effective. Erectile dysfunction or impotence, poor sperm count, painful intercourse, and low libido can all be treated with acupuncture in older couples. Acupuncture can boost both the egg and the sperm quality.
Takeaway
People having trouble conceiving may want to try acupuncture. It is effective and scientifically proven to help aid fertility problems in both men and women. You can reach out to us for more information. We provide treatment for a range of ailments using traditional therapies like acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbs. Our acupuncturists specialize in pain management, anxiety, fertility and much more. Have questions? Contact us now.
