FERTILITY
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Fertility Conditions Treated with Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is effective against multiple fertility-related challenges, including:
- Advanced maternal age
- Amenorrhea
- Autoimmune disorders
- Cervical mucus problems
- Endocrine imbalances
- Endometriosis
- Elevated FSH levels
- Immune-based fertility problems
- Luteal Phase Defect
- Male fertility issues
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Menstrual irregularities
- Ovulation challenges
- Low ovarian reserve
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Premature ovarian failure or low ovarian reserves
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
- Stress
- Thin uterine lining
- Thyroid conditions
- Unexplained infertility
Each of these conditions can be effectively managed with targeted acupuncture treatment.
Enhance Your Body's Natural Fertility with Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture
How Does Acupuncture Help Infertility? A Patient-Friendly Research Summary
A 4-minute-long patient-friendly video summarising research on how acupuncture enhances natural fertility. Compiled by Irina Szmelskyj, Award-Winning Acupuncturist, Author and Researcher with over 20 years experience and 76% success rates.
Click here to read our brochure on Infertility Acupuncture and IVF
Click here to read our brochure on Infertility Acupuncture and IVF
Causes of Infertility
Infertility can be caused by a combination of factors, including:
Hormonal imbalances
Hormonal imbalances can disrupt ovulation and fertilization, making it difficult to conceive.
Ovulation disorders
Irregular ovulation or anovulation can prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries, making it impossible to conceive.
Structural problems
Structural problems in the reproductive organs, such as blocked fallopian tubes or a misshapen uterus, can prevent fertilization and implantation.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause ovulation problems and infertility.
Luteal phase defect
A luteal phase defect is a condition in which the uterine lining does not thicken properly, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue from the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and scarring that can lead to infertility.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is a complex physiological process that affects millions of people worldwide. It is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse for women under 35 and after six months for women over 35. Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, ovulation disorders, and structural problems in the reproductive organs. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), infertility affects approximately 1 in 8 couples of childbearing age.
Infertility is a challenge that affects millions of individuals and couples across the United States, with nearly 9 million people experiencing difficulties in conceiving. Statistically, 1 in 8 couples of childbearing age either struggles with infertility or knows someone who does.
Medical guidelines define infertility as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse for women under 35, and six months for women 35 and older. This definition also includes recurrent miscarriages, where pregnancies fail to progress to term.
Even in cases where no clinical fertility issues are identified, conception may take longer than expected. On average, healthy women under 30 have a 20-30% chance of conceiving in a single cycle, often achieving pregnancy within 3-4 cycles. For couples in their 30s, the process may extend to five or six cycles.
Infertility can arise from multiple causes, including hormonal imbalances, ovulation disorders, or structural problems in the reproductive system. While these challenges can feel overwhelming, many couples still achieve natural conception—sometimes with the support of holistic treatments like acupuncture.
Learn how acupuncture can help in your fertility journey.
Stress and Its Impact on Fertility
Stress dramatically impacts reproductive health. Whether originating from life events or everyday pressures, stress triggers the “fight or flight” response, elevating adrenaline and cortisol levels. These hormonal shifts disrupt progesterone usage, hinder embryo implantation, and interfere with ovulation. Additionally, blood is redirected from the reproductive system to essential organs during stressful periods, reducing fertility.
A 2001 University of California, San Diego study discovered that women undergoing fertility treatment with high stress had a 93% lower chance of achieving pregnancy and a live birth.
Acupuncture releases serotonin and endorphins, producing a calming effect. It also reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and relaxes muscles. By increasing blood circulation, acupuncture removes excess cortisol and supports hormone regulation, boosting overall fertility.
Starting Acupuncture for Fertility
Ideally, acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatments should begin before conception attempts or prior to interventions like IUI and IVF. This timeline allows for necessary improvements in menstrual cycles, hormone function, and uterine lining. Since it takes 150 days for eggs to mature fully, early lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco are crucial.
Our practitioners develop a tailored treatment plan to address your specific fertility needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
If you’re already trying to conceive or starting Western treatments, it’s never too late to begin acupuncture. Evidence demonstrates that even a single treatment before and after IVF embryo transfer can enhance success rates by 12-14%.
Length of Acupuncture Treatments
Expecting change within a single cycle is uncommon, even under ideal circumstances. Treatments typically yield results within three to six months, although individual cases vary. Some patients conceive within two months, while others may need up to eight or more.
Consistency significantly impacts outcomes. Patients who attend regular sessions, take herbs (if prescribed), and follow suggested lifestyle adjustments experience the greatest success.
Role of Chinese Herbal Remedies
Herbal medicine complements acupuncture by maintaining daily treatment continuity. Herbs help regulate cycles, enhance uterine lining, balance hormones, and support overall health. While many U.S. fertility specialists recommend avoiding herbs during medicated cycles, they are widely used in other states with documented success. Open communication with your physician ensures safe integration into your fertility strategy.
Combining Chinese Medicine with IUI and IVF
Acupuncture serves as an excellent complement to Western fertility treatments, reducing treatment-related stress and boosting their effectiveness. Studies show integrating acupuncture with ART improves success rates. For instance, a 2002 German study found women receiving acupuncture on IVF transfer days achieved a 42.5% pregnancy rate compared to 26.3% for those who did not. Similar results were seen in a 2006 Danish study, reinforcing acupuncture’s benefits for conception success.
Male Fertility Support
Male fertility accounts for about 40% of infertility cases. Increasing exposure to pollutants, medications, and lifestyle factors has decreased sperm quality. Acupuncture improves sperm motility, count, and morphology, with significant progress noted within three months of treatment.
Additional Ways to Improve Reproductive Health
Continued Acupuncture During Pregnancy
Fertility doesn’t end with conception; maintaining a healthy pregnancy is essential. Acupuncture supports the body throughout pregnancy, easing discomforts and preparing for a smoother delivery. Regular treatments during the first 13 weeks are especially beneficial.
Atlanta fertility acupuncture aims to bring balance and calm to your reproductive journey, helping you move closer to a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Fertility Research
Summary of Acupuncture Studies related to Reproductive Medicine, compiled by Diane Cridennda
Acupuncture Research – Diane Cridennda and Dr. Paul Magarelli
Recommended Links
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Acufinder.com: Infertility articles
Some text for this page provided by Cindi Ignatovsky, L.Ac.
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