Our bodies go through significant changes during puberty. Being aware of the importance and function of our reproductive system and how our overall health and wellness affect fertility is becoming crucial, especially for those who are planning to conceive now or in the future. 

Good reproductive health increases our ability to have children if and whenever we want to. However, infertility issues are not only limited to women. 16% of couples struggle with fertility issues. However, 30% of these cases are caused by male infertility. 

Fertility acupuncture is a safe solution for men and women who want to revitalize their reproductive health. Let us explore how this natural approach can help improve fertility. Learn about the principles of acupuncture, its benefits, and the treatment process.

What Is Fertility Acupuncture?

Perhaps, you have heard about acupuncture and how it can help relieve chronic pain and other health problems — but did you know that it can help address fertility issues?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat various health conditions. It uses specialized fine needles that are inserted into specific points to stimulate the nerve endings of various body organs. The acupuncturist can manipulate and move the needles in specific ways to promote balance and trigger energy flow.

Fertility acupuncture focuses on improving reproductive health with the goal of conceiving and bringing a pregnancy to term. The acupuncturist targets various acupoints, primarily in the abdomen to stimulate the reproductive organs. It can also help mitigate different medical conditions that affect fertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids, and problems with ovarian reserve and sperm quality. It also promotes relaxation and provides relief from side effects associated with fertility drugs 

Many patients swear by the benefits of acupuncture for fertility sometimes after trying various failed treatments. 

What Are the Causes of Infertility?

Before we delve deeper into how acupuncture helps boost fertility, let us understand the common causes of infertility:

• Ovarian complications (ovarian cysts or premature ovarian failure)

• Hormonal issues (loss of periods, irregular cycle, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid problems, and diabetes)

• Uterus or fallopian tube damage (prevents fertilization and implantation of an embryo)

• Inhospitable cervical mucus caused by a yeast overgrowth or infection (causes the cervical mucus to become thick, making it hard for the sperm to swim easily to the egg)

• Sperm anomalies (motility and morphology problems, damage to the sperm DNA, and low sperm count)

• Immunological issues (autoimmune disorders, sperm antibodies, and tissue type compatibility)

• Dietary and lifestyle factors (chronic stress, obesity, poor sleep quality, high caffeine consumption, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, lack of exercise, high-sugar and junk food diet, and exposure to heavy metals, radiation, and chemicals)

How Does Acupuncture Help With Fertility?

Stimulating acupoints for fertility can help release neurotransmitters, which either activate or block other nerve signals. These chemicals are responsible for regulating the release of hormones and controlling various aspects of health. 

Acupuncture for fertility may be a viable solution for increasing women’s chance of getting pregnant, as well as improving fertility in men. In women, acupuncture may help prevent the impact of stress on the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in increased blood flow to the ovaries. 

Chronic stress can activate the body’s fight or flight response, which can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (the primary endocrine glands that control reproductive health). It can also cause the constriction of ovarian arteries, leading to decreased blood flow to the ovaries. Additionally, targeting acupuncture spots for fertility promotes better endometrial lining to facilitate implantation by boosting blood circulation in the area. 

Acupuncture may help boost sperm count, motility and quality by improving the blood flow and nerve conduction to the gonads. Male fertility acupuncture is essential for spermatogenesis, hormone signalling, and temperature regulation. 

What Are Other Benefits of Fertility Acupuncture?

• Improve hormonal balance by regulating hormone levels and addressing imbalances that may prevent conception.

• Stimulate blood flow to the reproductive organs to ensure that they receive sufficient nutrients and oxygen levels

• Promote relaxation and address the negative impact of stress on fertility

• Enhance the quality of the egg and the health of the sperm to increase your chances of successful fertilization

• Promote a healthy reproductive system and optimize its function

How Often Should You Get Acupuncture for Fertility

Fertility acupuncture offers plenty of benefits to couples who are struggling with conception. However, the number of acupuncture treatments usually depends on medical history, individual needs, lifestyle, and personal disposition.

Typically, the acupuncturist will create a personalized treatment and may recommend one to 3 treatments a week to start. Careful assessment of your needs and medical history helps them determine the frequency of reproductive acupuncture treatments. 

Keep in mind that the effects of fertility acupuncture are gradual and cumulative, making regular and consistent appointments extremely critical. 

When Is the Best Time for Fertility Acupuncture?

If you want to start acupuncture to boost your chances of conception, perhaps you have plenty of questions in your mind — when do you have it and how many treatment sessions do you require?

Luckily, there are a few techniques to maximize your fertility acupuncture treatment. While each couple’s case is unique, your fertility journey and frequency of treatment depend on your current health.

The ideal time to get fertility acupuncture depends on the following factors:

• Preparation Phase

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are natural, non-invasive treatments. They have few if any negative side effects. However, due to the cumulative nature of treatments, most people require a trial period of three months of treatments to experience positive changes. We ask our patients to provide us with 100 days, as is generally the minimum time required to produce refreshed follicles.

• In-Vitro Fertilization

Did you know that, together, acupuncture and IVF can help increase your chances of conception?

When pursuing IVF, the best time for fertility acupuncture is before the retrieval of your eggs and before the doctor transfers the embryo to your uterus. Here is the ideal time for acupuncture to maximize the results of IVF:

• 1st Session: Between the 5th and 8th day of the menstrual cycle.

• 2nd Session: Between the 9th and 13th cycle day, before egg retrieval

• 3rd Session: At least 2 days prior to the IVF transfer as it helps make the linings of your uterus a more pleasant environment for the embryo. 

• 4th Session: Ideally, acupuncture should take place on the 3rd to 5th day after implantation to help the embryo attach to the uterus. 

For best results, those interested in acupuncture to support in-vitro fertilization should consider preparatory phase acupuncture.

Fertility Acupuncture: Summary

While fertility acupuncture is not an absolute treatment for sterility, it can help boost the body’s physiological processes that enhance reproductive health and function. 

If you are in Toronto, Ontario, check if the acupuncturist is registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) to ensure that you receive safe treatments. 
Call Total Wellness Centre today at 416-532-9094 for safe and effective fertility acupuncture in Toronto. Let us help you achieve a healthy pregnancy and the joy of parenthood.