Acupuncture and Fertility

If you are trying for a baby you have probably come across reports that acupuncture can help improve your fertility and chances of a successful conception. A recent high-level review found acupuncture to significantly improve birth rates. Approximately 1 in 6 couples have difficulty conceiving, around 35 million people in the UK and more people than ever are turning to acupuncture for help. Whether it is support for natural or IVF cycles acupuncture can help.

How can acupuncture help my fertility?
Acupuncture may help
• Improve embryo quality
• Regulate hormones and menstrual cycles
• Reduce side effects of drugs used in IVF
• Regulate hormones after egg collection during IVF
• Prevent miscarriage
• Improve blood flow to the uterus
• Reduce stress

How to choose an acupuncturist to help with my fertility?

It is important to look for an acupuncturist with appropriate levels of experience and qualifications. Look for those who have done further study specialising in this area. Someone who has good up to date knowledge of IVF clinics, techniques and the drugs used. It is also important to look for someone who will be easy for you to get to and easy for you to get along with. Ideally treatment should start three months before you embark on fertility treatment, this will be enough time to get you in the best possible place for when you begin. You therefore want to see someone who makes you feel relaxed and supported and the treatment should be stress free not stress inducing because you’re rushing for treatment far away.

For more information on the evidence see The British Acupuncture Council website http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/female-fertility.html

Click here for more information on Acupuncture for Female Fertility or Acupuncture for Male Fertility.