Acupuncture for Fertility

A Way of Life Acupuncture uses proven techniques to treat infertility and enhance reproductive health in men and women. In addition, she also provides specialized care in treating the following conditions that can affect reproduction and health:

Regulation of the menstrual cycles
Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS )
Endometriosis
Menopausal symptoms
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Blocked fallopian tubes
Certain causes of miscarriage
Decreased libido
Decreased sperm count, quality and motility

An article in a recent issue of Fertility and Sterility--co-authored by Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, Dr. Pak H. Chung, and Dr. Raymond
Chang of Weill Cornell-- reports that acupuncture treatment has the following potential fertility-boosting benefits:

Increased blood flow to the uterus and therefore uterine wall thickness, an important marker for fertility.
Increased endorphin production, which, in turn, has been shown to affect the release of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a decapeptide involved in regulating reproduction.
Lower stress hormones responsible for infertility.
Impact on plasma levels of the fertility hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and Progesterone (P).
Normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, a key process in fertility.
A positive effect for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a hormonal imbalance present in three percent of adolescents and adults.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine identifies the cause of infertility in terms of energy imbalances in the body. When the energy is not flowing properly, an imbalance will occur. Imbalances can be due to excess or deficient conditions in the body or within the organ system. Imbalances may be due to many different factors which could include, but are not limited to; an
unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet or improper eating habits, lack of exercise, stress, the environment, emotional or psychological issues, toxins, or hereditary influences. Treatments are prescribed according to each individual and their specific oriental medicine diagnosis. Treating the patient’s imbalances are the keys to getting results. It is this knowledge that enables the formulation of the appropriate acupuncture prescription and herbal strategy. This form of treatment is safe and effective in treating infertility and can be used alone or in conjunction with other fertility treatments. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are used to nourish, support, and strengthen the body. It offers a safe and effective way to bring the body back into a balanced state and prepare the body for conception and a healthy full term pregnancy.

Acupuncture can help increase the chance of conception by:

Regulate hormones and endocrine system, which regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation
Stimulate ovulation
Increase blood supply to the uterus, improving ovum implantation once fertilized.
Relax the uterus
Affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which plays a key role in fertility.
Regulate the central nervous system to regulate blood pressure and blood flow, as well as body temperature.
Stimulating central nervous system to cause neurotransmitters and neuro-hormones to be released, thereby boosting your body’s natural ability to heal itself.