Infertility, also known as sterility, refers to the failure to conceive a child after twelve months or more of trying. This condition can affect women and men alike and may have severe effects on stress levels, mental health, and relationships. Different medical interventions have been sought to address infertility over time, but one is often overlooked, and that is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been proven to help address infertility, as it alleviates the various causes of this condition. This blog explains how acupuncture can help treat infertility in men and women.

How Acupuncture Treatment Works

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It involves inserting thin, sterilized needles into particular body points (acupoints) to balance the flow of qi (energy) and stimulate a patient's healing. Traditionally, the Chinese believed that inserting needles into acupoints would regulate qi and open pathways. Today, acupuncture treatment is used to stimulate the release of body chemicals.

Despite many skeptics labeling it as alternative medicine, the benefits of acupuncture treatment are undeniable. When a licensed acupuncture practitioner conducts the treatment, the body experiences different reactions that relieve anxiety, stress, and pain.

One other issue that acupuncture treatment can help alleviate is sterility. Whereas acupuncture therapy cannot cure infertility on its own, it is a complementary technique used alongside other treatment options to maximize their effectiveness. Acupuncture can boost both women's and men's fertility.

Starting acupuncture treatment as soon as possible can improve your chances of conception. Unfortunately, many infertility causes are silent, and there are no visible symptoms. However, the following indications may suggest you are dealing with infertility:

  • Irregular menstrual periods

  • Unusually heavy or light blood

  • Menstrual cramps

  • Pelvic pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse

  • Sexual dysfunction, including low libido and erectile dysfunction

How Acupuncture Can Help Women With Infertility

Acupuncture therapy is highly effective in addressing female infertility. Many factors result in women having difficulty conceiving, the most prevalent ones being irregular hormones and poor quality of eggs. Fortunately, acupuncture treatment helps with these issues. The treatment does the following:

Enhances Blood Flow

The supply of blood to the body is a crucial factor that affects egg quality. Blood that flows to the ovaries delivers nutrients to the eggs, which helps them grow and develop. A poor blood supply deprives the eggs of the nutrients they need, making it difficult to conceive.

Research shows that acupuncture therapy increases blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, which helps produce more high-quality eggs and makes the uterine lining thicker and more receptive. The treatment also relaxes blood vessels, improving blood circulation and increasing blood flow to the ovaries. Ovaries and a uterus that are well-nourished can raise your chances of conception and having a healthy infant.

Regulates Hormones

When talking about fertility in women, one hormone plays a key role. This is FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). As per the name, the FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles. When this hormone is overly high, fertility treatment options are usually less effective. The ovaries may also cease working altogether.

Acupuncture treatment has proven highly effective in regulating follicle-stimulating hormone and in maintaining the growth of ovarian follicles and ovaries. If you are still struggling with infertility after the stabilization of your hormones, you can still consider ovarian stimulation with acupuncture.

Acupuncture also stimulates the endocrine system, which is responsible for generating and releasing other female hormones that impact pregnancy, menstruation, and ovulation. It may help you to better prepare for fertility treatment by balancing the levels of hormones such as LH (luteinizing hormone), estrogen, and progesterone.

Helps Alleviate Other Health Conditions

Per the available evidence, acupuncture treatment can help alleviate different health conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) that impact reproductive organs or ovulation. These kinds of conditions can make it difficult for a woman to conceive, and any step toward addressing them can increase the chances of conception.

How Acupuncture Can Help Men With Fertility

Apart from women, acupuncture treatment is also effective in addressing male fertility. Almost half of sterile couples discover that the problem stems from male fertility. Whereas IVF (in vitro fertilization) can usually address infertility in men, it does not always work. That is because in vitro fertilization still requires some quality sperm from the man. If the man lacks quality sperm, the success rate of the treatment will be low. Fortunately, acupuncture therapy can help solve issues related to sperm in men.

Improving Sperm Quality and Count

Acupuncture therapy has proven to improve the total count, vitality, and motility of sperm cells. This helps lower the chances of infertility by itself and increases IVF success rates by enabling the production of more high-quality sperm. Acupuncture also regulates the testosterone hormone in men. This hormone plays a key role in fertility matters.

Other Ways in Which Acupuncture Helps Men and Women with Infertility

Acupuncture can also help improve fertility in ways that affect both men and women, or the fertility process as a whole. These include the following:

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Among the primary reasons why people consider acupuncture treatment is to address anxiety and stress. However, what some do not realize is that anxiety and stress can directly cause infertility. High stress levels can disrupt the balance of reproductive hormones in women, impacting their ovulation and reducing their libido. They can also lower sperm count (in men), increase the likelihood of miscarriage, and shorten the menstrual cycle. Stress reduction is usually key to raising fertility in women and men.

Routine acupuncture treatment sessions have proven to lower anxiety and stress, helping couples with their journey to conceive. Acupuncture reduces stress and anxiety by stimulating the release of endorphins. Also, the treatment can lower blood pressure and calm the nervous system, enhancing a person's general well-being.

Complementing Other Fertility Treatment Options

Whether you wish to conceive through natural means or are trying ART (assisted reproductive technology) such as embryo transfer, IVF, or intrauterine insemination (IUI), acupuncture therapy is a valuable addition to your infertility treatment plan. That is because it helps other fertility treatment options to be more effective. Here is how acupuncture treatment complements other fertility treatment options:

For IVF, this treatment helps improve the quantity and quality of sperm cells, thereby increasing the odds of a successful IVF. That said, it is helpful for a man to undergo acupuncture treatment before trying IVF.

Women, too, should consider having acupuncture therapy first before trying IVF, as it assists with implantation and embryo transfer. According to different studies, acupuncture conducted pre- and post-embryo transfer increases pregnancy success rates for IVF patients. That might be because the treatment can increase blood flow to the uterine wall, reduce anxiety and stress, and relax the uterus. Also, acupuncture can help minimize some IVF medication side effects, such as nausea, headaches, mood swings, and bloating.

Acupuncture supports general wellness by boosting immunity, which is also helpful during implantation. Acupuncture therapy can help alleviate other health problems that impact fertility indirectly, including digestive issues, insomnia, chronic pain, and allergies. By enhancing digestion, sleep quality, pain relief, and immunity, this treatment can help both men and women feel more energetic and comfortable throughout their fertility journey.

Acupuncture also promotes emotional health. Trying to get pregnant can have its emotional challenges and cause sadness, frustrations, guilt, or anger. Acupuncture therapy can help both men and women handle these emotions. It provides a supportive, safe space for people on a fertility journey to express themselves and obtain compassionate care. This treatment can also help cultivate a hopeful, positive mindset, boosting resilience and confidence among couples trying to conceive.

When to Start Acupuncture Treatment

In essence, you should commence receiving acupuncture therapy three months before you receive any other fertility treatment. However, beginning acupuncture treatment alongside your doctor's suggested fertility treatment might still be beneficial. Regular acupuncture sessions are the ideal way to realize sustained, long-standing improvement. One acupuncture session may not be enough to help with the ART process.

At the start of your acupuncture therapy, your acupuncture practitioner will ask about your fertility concerns and lifestyle (stress levels, diet, sleep habits, and exercise). They might also conduct an exam, such as looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse. The acupuncturist will then insert acupuncture needles, and this step can last approximately thirty minutes to one hour.

The cost for acupuncture for fertility can vary based on location, the provider's experience, and the number of sessions received throughout treatment. On average, the cost ranges from $100 to $200 per treatment session. Some clinics offer discounted prices for multiple sessions.

Since acupuncture for fertility is mostly effective when a patient takes several sessions instead of just one session, your general investment will be based on your tailored treatment plan. This includes how often you have sessions and whether they occur before, during, or after your embryo transfer, IVF, or other ART.

Insurance coverage for acupuncture for fertility varies as well. Some insurance plans incorporate acupuncture for general wellness or pain management, but might not particularly cover fertility treatments. Reach out to your insurance company to learn about your coverage details and whether they cover acupuncture for fertility.

Who Should Consider Acupuncture for Fertility?

Acupuncture for fertility can benefit anyone looking to improve their reproductive health. Whether you are just starting your journey to conceive or have tried before, acupuncture can be for you. You can consider adding this technique to your fertility treatment plan if the following applies to you:

  • You are experiencing ovulation challenges or irregular periods. Since acupuncture stimulates the endocrine system, it can help you achieve more regular menstrual cycles and ovulation.

  • You are preparing for embryo transfer or IVF. Acupuncture can help balance hormones, increase blood flow to the uterine wall, and reduce stress levels. All these help the body feel more receptive and balanced before and after treatment.

  • You are managing conditions known to impact fertility. Acupuncture treatment may support individuals with conditions like unexplained infertility, fibroids, endometriosis, and PCOS by enhancing circulation, easing discomfort, and reducing inflammation.

  • You seek natural ways of supporting your fertility journey. If you are working to conceive by natural means, acupuncture therapy can help relieve stress and optimize your reproductive health. These are two essential factors that contribute to conception.

  • You seek male fertility support. Acupuncture treatment can also benefit men with fertility issues by improving sperm morphology, motility, and count, resulting in a higher chance of success in conception.

Every fertility journey differs, and acupuncture therapy can be personalized to your specific needs, treatment plan, and diagnosis.

Studies and Statistics on the Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Fertility

Several research studies have reviewed how effective acupuncture is in treating infertility issues. These findings can help you make an informed decision if you are considering this technique:

  • Ovulation and acupuncture. One study investigated the impacts of acupuncture therapy on women suffering from PCOS, a prevalent reason for infertility. The findings were that acupuncture substantially increased the ovulation rate and enhanced menstrual regularity in these women.

  • The success rates of IVF and acupuncture: an analysis of twenty-four research studies involving over 5,000 women undergoing IVF discovered that the women who underwent acupuncture therapy had a substantially higher pregnancy success rate than those who never received acupuncture. This trend implies that acupuncture therapy is likely to increase the success rate of ART.

  • Male infertility. This study indicated that acupuncture enhanced sperm cell quality in men with idiopathic infertility. The study observed improvements in sperm morphology, motility, and concentration after ten weeks of acupuncture therapy.

Find an Experienced Acupuncturist Near Me

Whether it is to improve pregnancy success rates or promote general wellness, acupuncture treatment is valuable. To add to the various technological advancements in reproductive health, acupuncture can assist both women and men with very few side effects.

If you seek acupuncture treatment for fertility in Los Angeles, CA, or have other acupuncture needs, we at Art of Chinese Healing can help you. We offer extraordinary acupuncture therapy for fertility and can also address other aspects affecting your health, which are manageable through acupuncture. Call us at 310-405-1610 whenever you are ready to begin exploring the benefits of acupuncture.