Research suggests that acupuncture may be helpful to couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Infertility Definition:
Current statistics show one in six couples who are trying to conceive are facing fertility issues. And while many times infertility is thought of as a female issue, it is really a factor for both the man and woman and should therefore be addressed as such. More specifically, infertility is defined as not being able to conceive after unprotected sex for 12 months. What about if you are already in the IVF process?According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1.6 percent of all infants born annually in the United States are conceived using assisted reproductive technology or in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is big business and it is not cheap. The average cost of an IVF cycle costs $12,000, and that doesn’t even include the medications that can run between $3,000 and $5,000.
This is where acupuncture may be able to assist.
Many fertility doctors are now recommending acupuncture, as it can improve a woman’s chances of conceiving by up to 60%. There have been multiple studies conducted that show the rates of live births nearly double in cases where acupuncture was used. Here are some ways acupuncture can help IVF outcomes.
Infertility Causes:
There are many reasons why which may include: modern agricultural practices/pesticides, the increased number of medications we take, as well as our dependence on plastic and technology that is constantly emitting low-grade radiation. It’s no surprise more couples are having trouble conceiving.
Infertility of both male and female partners, may be due to a single cause or a combination of factors that may prevent a pregnancy from occurring.
- Abnormal or insufficient sperm production, motility issues
- overexposure to chemicals or toxins
- ovulation disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency
- endometriosis
- thyroid issues
- many more
Infertility Symptoms:
Symptoms of infertility of both male and females may be only the inability to conceive but may have other associated symptoms such as:
- abnormal periods
- no periods
- skin changes
- weight gain
- emotional disturbances
- pain during intercourse
- problems with ejaculation or erection
Infertility Treatments:
Acupuncture and natural medicine have been shown to enhance fertility in couples trying to conceive. Working at the root cause (s) of the issue which may be leading to fertility issues. Acupuncture has shown to especially be an effective conjunctive treatment for couples going through IVF treatment, as it can enhance the success of the treatment.
In addition, acupuncture has been shown to improve the response of the body to in vitro fertilization medications. IVF medications cause multiple follicles to grow, and the higher the number of mature eggs retrieved, the greater the likelihood that one of those eggs will get fertilized, resulting in an embryo for implantation into the uterus.
It is usually recommended a woman begin acupuncture a couple of months prior to the IVF procedure. This will increase the chances of conception. Here, Eastern and Western medicine work very well together. If you’re considering in vitro fertilization, acupuncture might be a welcomed addition to the mix.
At Starting Point Acupuncture, we are trained in LIfe FErtility BioTherapy® an international fertility program that has been used for the past two decades with a proven record of fertility success. LIFE has not only helped couples and individuals from all over the globe build their families, it has also ensured a healthy pregnancy, prepares the body for labor, and improves postpartum recovery.
If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment, please give our office a call at (425) 686-4498 to learn more about our Fertility Program.
