Could acupuncture help you to start a family?
IVF treatment is financially out of the reach of many childless couples. However, did you know that the traditional Chinese therapy of acupuncture has been recommended by some to aid in conception? In fact, acupuncture is often used in conjunction with IVF to boost the chances of couples trying to conceive.
So, how could acupuncture help you and your partner start the family you’ve always longed for?
The use of acupuncture to improve your chances of conception
During consultations, the acupuncture therapist places very fine needles into the patient’s skin at key points around the body in order to correct imbalances in the flow of energy. The procedure is completely painless and there are no unpleasant after effects.
In the case of fertility, acupuncture can boost female fertility in a number of ways:
- relaxing the patient and reducing stress
- reducing the likelihood of polycystic ovary syndrome
- improving the blood flow to the womb and ovaries and therefore increasing the chances of egg implantation
- promoting improved hormone function
In addition, many doctors believe that acupuncture can help improve the chances of conception through the stimulation of muscle and nerve tissue.
You will probably need to attend a course of around six acupuncture therapy treatments before you begin to see results.
Acupuncture to improve male fertility
Some acupuncturists claim that the therapy improves the speed at which male sperm can swim (sperm motility), increasing the chances of the egg being fertilised. In addition, acupuncture can boost levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone.
Stress and tension can contribute to problems with the quality and quantity of the sperm produced, which can make it less likely that fertilisation will occur.
An additional benefit of acupuncture is that it can help to lower the temperature within the scrotum and testes where the sperm is produced and stored. If the environment in which the sperm is stored becomes too warm, the sperm can become unhealthy or die, making conception much less likely.
What to expect at your first acupuncture consultation
When you attend your first acupuncture consultation, the therapist will ask you for full details of your medical history. You will need to provide information on any fertility tests you have had, as well as details about your monthly menstrual cycle and any problems that you have ever experienced with your reproductive system.
The therapist will take details of your usual diet, together with information about your lifestyle habits; for example, if you smoke and how much alcohol you consume in an average week.
Try accupuncture today
Acupuncture could be an effective way of improving your chances of conception if you are trying to start a family. Have a chat with a qualified accupuncture therapist to see if they could help you.
