Are you a married couple having a difficult time conceiving a child? You might want to try acupuncture.
When combined with fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI), acupuncture — a traditional Chinese therapy that uses thin needles to stimulate certain points on the body — helps couples conceive a child. In a recent study from Tel Aviv University, a group of couples underwent the combined procedure of acupuncture and IUI. Around 60% of the test group was able to conceive, compared to 39% of the control group that only received IUI treatment.
How Does It Work?
Typically, women who have a hard time getting and staying pregnant often have stress issues. These stress hormones reduce the number of fertility hormones, such as progesterone. Acupuncture helps lower the stress of these women, increasing their fertility rates. In addition, this traditional Chinese therapy helps increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, as well as balances the endocrine system. Hence, it makes it easier for women to conceive and keep their baby healthy for the rest of the pregnancy period.
When Should You Have It?
Now that you know that acupuncture does really help raise fertility rates, it’s time to know when you should take it. According to a number of fertility experts, you can have the therapy at any time during your fertility treatment. However, doing the therapy before taking drugs to prep your body for any fertility procedure is the most recommended, so you’ll face IUI or in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a lower number of stress hormones.
Before you schedule your acupuncture therapy, however, make sure you talk to your primary physician first. Acupuncture, after all, cannot help certain infertility conditions, such as blocked Fallopian tubes. After your consultation with your doctor, feel free to contact us if you want to learn more about acupuncture for fertility. We’d love to guide you through the process.
