Supporting fertility & conception with Acupuncture

Conception and pregnancy happens easily for some couples, yet for others it can be a long and arduous journey, involving countless expensive medical investigations and procedures.

Approximately 1 in 7 couples in the UK struggle to become pregnant, which equates to around 3.5million people (source: NHS UK).  The cost of private fertility treatments is prohibitive to many, and for those that can afford it the success rates are low and the side effects common and unpleasant.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long and successful history of supporting couples with fertility issues, and can be safely used alongside Western medical approaches.

Why can’t I become pregnant?

One of the most common reasons I encounter in my Clinic for couples failing to conceive is stress.  Stress causes infertility, and then the stress of not becoming pregnant compounds the situation!

Here’s why;

• In woman, stress hormones disrupt the delicate interplay between the reproductive hormones oestrogen and progesterone.  Alterations in the oestrogen / progesterone ratio can interfere with egg implantation in the womb, and successful conception.
• Stress reduces blood flow to the reproductive organs, and down regulates the production of sex hormones.  Basically, when you’re under stress, your body does not want to carry a baby – it is more concerned with keeping you alive and coping with whatever is causing the stress!
• In men, stress can affect sperm counts, and sperm motility.  This means fewer sperm, and those that are produced cannot swim as fast and reach the egg.

How can acupuncture support fertility and conception?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques can effectively support fertility by reducing the effects of stress on the body, and improving blood flow and circulation to the reproductive organs.  This increases the flow of nutrients to these organs, supporting egg and sperm health.

By dealing with the effects of stress and supporting the balance of endocrine hormones – these include both stress and sex hormones – the body can rebalance, and regain its natural hormonal rhythms.

Acupuncture and Endometriosis

I frequently work with women who are dealing with hormonal problems such as endometriosis, which compromise their fertility.  You can read more about my approach HERE.

Acupuncture and Fertility Treatments

TCM Acupuncture and moxibustion techniques can be safely enjoyed whilst undergoing conventional fertility treatments.  A 2012 research study at Tel Aviv University found that study participants receiving both IUI (intrauterine insemination) and TCM acupuncture & herbs had a 65.5% conception success rate, compared with only 39.4% in the control group who received no TCM treatments.  This result was even more remarkable given the average age of the participants: 39.4 years old in the TCM group, and 37.1 years in the control group.

As well as improving the success rates of medical fertility treatments, Acupuncture can also reduce unpleasant side-effects such as nausea and sickness, and help couples deal with the stress of these procedures.

 

Are you struggling to conceive?

Are you undergoing fertility treatments?

Call me, Tiziana, TODAY on 07788 633292 (or email at info@yorktraditionalacupuncture.co.uk ) for a no-obligation chat about how my TCM acupuncture can support your chances of conception and pregnancy!