Fertility and Assisted Conception

Acupuncture offers a safe and natural way to aid conception and can be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, and promote ovulation.This is because it is considered to affect the  hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which plays a key role in balancing the hormones important for fertility.

Acupuncture can be used to increase the blood flow to the uterus, which may improve the chances of an ovum implanting once fertilized.

It is also an excellent way to reduce the hormones produced by stress and anxiety which can inhibit fertility . By encouraging the release of serotonin and endorphins, the body's own  "feel good" neurotransmitters, acupuncture can bring an essential element of calm and tranquility to the process of becoming pregnant..

For the maximum chance of conception it is very important for a woman to understand and recognise the changes that occur in her body during her menstrual cycle.Part of Ann's fertility 'programme' is to teach you how to recognise these changes, and also to discuss with you dietary and lifestyle changes that could help improve your chances of conception.

Acupuncture Improves Ovulation in PCOS Women

A study at Goteborg University in Sweden showed that acupuncture may help some PCOS women to ovulate. In this study, electro-acupuncture was used instead of traditional acupuncture. Electro-acupuncture, the application of a pulsating electrical current to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acupuncture points, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles. Twenty-four women with PCOS and infrequent or absent periods were included in this study. After 10-14 treatments for 2-3 months, nine women (38%) experienced regular ovulation. However, the electro-acupuncture was not effective in the more severe cases (obese, highest waist-to-hip ratio, and highest testosterone and insulin individuals). For women with mild PCOS, acupuncture appears to help induce ovulation.

Source: Stener-Victorin E et al, Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2000 Mar;79(3):180-8

Acupuncture and IVF

In 2002, there was a landmark study done in Germany which was reported by the Journal 'Fertility & Sterility'. This study showed that woman going through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)  dramatically improved their success rate if they recieved acupuncture.

Of the woman who just received the IVF, 26.3% became pregnant. Of those who received the IVF along with acupuncture, 42.5% became pregnant - a significant increase.

Male Fertility

Male infertility and sexual performance problems can also be treated with Chinese medicine. It has now been shown that up to 30-50% of fertility problems are due to problems directly associated with the male.

The use of acupuncture along with dietary and lifestyle advice can improve both the quality and quantity of sperm and also the overall quality of the semen. This in turn increases the chances of creating a healthy and viable embryo.

In some cases, it is best to treat both the man and the woman at the same time, especially if the couple are actively trying to concieve, as this will help to maximize the results.