Acupuncture for Infertility

“I started seeing Vonda for acupuncture to help with PMS and fertility. Within two months of consistent treatment I noticed a huge difference in my PMS symptoms and within 3 months I was pregnant with my first child. I have continued to see Vonda during my pregnancy to support sleep and overall health! I am so grateful for the changes and support Vonda’s acupuncture treatments have provided!!” | S.S. ~ Castle Rock

“I highly recommend Soul Potential Acupuncture and Wellness. Vonda is attentive and very thorough. I received e-stim acupuncture and was able to reach the dopplers levels that I was looking for with her help. I am not someone who enjoys needles but Vonda took great care to make me feel comfortable. I am grateful to have been under her care! “ | M.S. ~ Larkspur

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability of getting pregnant after 1 year of unprotected sex. If no pregnancy occurs after 1 year, experts suggest seeking medical care. In cases where the female is over 35 years of age, medical care should begin after 6 months of trying to conceive without success.

What are the causes of infertility?

More and more women are delaying starting a family as their careers take priority. The age of first maternal birth is on rise. As women age, fertility decreases. Women in their late 30’s are about ½ as fertile as they were in their 20’s. Male fertility is typically not affected until after age 501.

Other possible causes of infertility:2

  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
  • Hormone dysregulation due to hypothalamus or pituitary gland dysfunction
  • Structural issues with ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus or cervix
  • Endometriosis which can affect the uterine lining and prevent implantation
  • Low sperm count, low quality of sperm or issues with motility
  • Unexplained causes

How does acupuncture help infertility?

Many studies have been done on the effect of acupuncture in reproductive medicine. Here are a few examples of what some of the studies have found:

  • Acupuncture can help normalize hormonal function 4
  • Acupuncture has been shown to improve ovulation in women with PCOS 3
  • Acupuncture can increase uterine blood flow which may improve embryo implantation 3
  • Acupuncture reduces stress which affects blood flow and fertility 3,4
  • Acupuncture for the relief of pain caused by oocyte removal for IVF 4
  • Acupuncture for Improving IVF success 4
  • Acupuncture for managing issues with ovulation 4
  • Acupuncture to Increase motility, quality of sperm and sperm count 4

Infertility can be a disappointing, frustrating and heartbreaking experience. At Castle Pines Acupuncture we are here to help you find a resolution to your fertility frustrations. Schedule an appointment now to talk about how we can help you successfully start a family.

References

1. Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Electronic address: ASRM@asrm.org; Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2017 Jan;107(1):52-58. doi: c10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.029. Epub 2016 Oct 26. PMID: 28228319.

 

2. Female Infertility (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354308

3. Ng EH, So WS, Gao J, Wong YY, Ho PC. The role of acupuncture in the management of subfertility. Fertil Steril. 2008 Jul;90(1):1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.02.094. Epub 2008 Apr 28. PMID: 18440533.

4. So EW, Ng EH. Acupuncture in reproductive medicine. Womens Health (Lond). 2010 Jul;6(4):551-63. doi: 10.2217/whe.10.39. PMID: 20597619.