Nowadays more and more couples who are trying to conceive are exlploring alternative medicine to increase their chances of getting pregnant quickly. In this article we will talk about fertility acupuncture and why it is regarded as one of the most effective natural medicine for promoting fertility, whether used alone or as a complementary treatment alongside IVF cycles.
Nowadays more and more couple are experiencing fertility issues when trying to conceive. Modern healthcare has vastly expanded the array of options available for couples struggling to conceive, but not all can afford it.
The cost for assisted conception such as Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF can arrive up to tens of thousands of pounds. These advanced procedures also don’t guarantee a result, so many couples need to go though few cycles of IVF before being successful. The fertility drugs that are commonly prescribed to women who are trying to conceive have often lots of side effects such as abdominal tenderness, fluid retention, bloating, weight gain, and nausea.
For some couples it may be really stressing to decide to follow this path so more and more people choose to try alternative therapies such as acupuncture for fertility, cupping and reflexology for fertility to boost their chances of conceiving.
DOES FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Others decide to receive acupuncture for fertility while they undergo IVF as some recent studies suggest that it would double your chances of getting pregnant. More in details, it seems that acupuncture for fertility may boost by 65 % the chances of becoming pregnant with 87 % increase in continuing the pregnancy and 91 % increase in the number of live births.
HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY HELP YOU GET PREGNANT FAST?
Acupuncture for fertility may boost your chances of conceiving because it looks at the person holistically and we work to:
boost blood flow to reproductive organs
balancing reproductive hormones and the endocrine system
relieving stress
These are among the main causes of infertility and Acupuncture for fertility can address them all together.
Acupuncture for fertility has ancient roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine which believes that by stimulating the nerves of certain points in the body we can act on the organ to which they are related. This means that an acupuncturist would needle the points connected to the ovaries to increase the blood flowing to them in order to help developing healthy and strong follicles, ready to mature.
Stress is another main factor to infertility as high levels of cortisol (the hormone which is released in the brain when people are under stress) disrupt the ovulation cycle preventing a woman from getting pregnant and increase a lot the risk of miscarriage in women once they become pregnant. While in men, stress can alter sperm counts, motility, and cause impotence.
This happens because the release of cortisol affects the brain’s neuro chemical balance, disrupting the pituitary balance that is key to the reproductive cycle. This delicate balance between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and reproductive glands, can be affected so much by stress which in turns prevents a woman from ovulating entirely. And if a woman does not ovulate, she does not have chances to conceive in that menstrual cycle. Besides stress can create spasms in both the fallopian tubes and the uterus, interfering with the movement and implantation of a potential fertilized egg.
Acupuncture for fertility may reduce stress quickly as acupuncture promotes the parasympathetic nervous system, which we can define as our “resting and healing” mode.
Acupuncture counters the effects of stress and cortisol by releasing endorphins in the brain as it stimulates the production of endogenous opioids affecting the autonomic nervous system. Thanks to that, it can initiate the relaxation response, putting your body in healing mode and reducing stress and anxiety. People often start to immediately breathe slower and deeper, relaxing muscles, promote digestion and slow the hear rate too.
Another main cause of infertility is is an ovulation disorder, such as anovulation (which is the absence of ovulation) or a disrupted menstrual cycle (as it happens in women suffering from PCOS). In this cases the release of a mature egg from the ovary is prevented, so the chances of becoming pregnant. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is one of the most common cause of infertility as this condition affects the ovulation cycle preventing the follicle to become mature in order to release the egg. Research has shown how acupuncture for fertility is one of the best natural treatment to help women resume ovulation, especially those suffering from PCOS and so her chances of conceiving. Acupuncture for fertility aims to naturally regulate ovulation and menstruation by stimulating the organs, improving blood flow, normalising hormone levels and promoting the proper functioning of the reproductive system.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ACUPUNCTURE POINTS FOR FERTILITY?
Depending on the client and on her current situation, acupuncturists will use a set of lot of different points all around the body. When treating infertility tough, we tend to use pressure points on the head to promote relaxation and another set of points around the stomach to boost the supply of fresh blood to the ovaries. There are also some very important points around the lower legs and the ankles which are believed to promote blood flow to the reproductive organs, enhancing a correct hormonal balance.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY?
Acupuncture for fertility usually treats most menstrual problems within three to six months. However the number of treatments usually depends on how long-standing and severe the issue may be. Acupuncture for fertility works on a cumulative level so it often requires repetition to make a sustained change, and healthy lifestyle changes can boost its efficacy.
At A to Zen therapies we are really keen in supporting women experiencing menstrual disorders and those who are trying to conceive. We offer online coaching sessions to learn all about your cycle and natural ways to improve & regulate it. Also we have lots of fertility tips on our website and we are always here to advice and guide you in this journey. It is an honour for us to be next to you in this.
WHEN SHOULD I START ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY?
Most preconception programs start at least 3 months before they try to conceive, either naturally or by assisted conception for maximum results. However any moment is good to try this therapy as it does not have side effects and can truly support your body and mind wherever you are in your fertility journey.
ARE ANY ACTIVITIES I SHOULD AVOID WHEN RECEIVING AN ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY SESSION?
We advice to avoid having a big meal prior to the session as you will have to lay down for a while. Also since Acupuncture for fertility aims to promote relaxation, it would be ideal to avoid physical activities such as running or gym classes after your session. These little precautions will help to get the best out of your treatment.
WILL INSURANCE COVER ACUPUNCTURE?
Most insurance in London cover Acupuncture as it is one of the most recognised and researched alternative therapy by the Western medicine. Because plans vary in coverage, you should check with your provider. If you are in doubt, please contact us and we will have a look at the associations recognised from your insurance together.
OUR ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY LONDON AT A TO ZEN THERAPIES
You are unique & your treatment should be too
At A to Zen therapies we know very well that trying something new sometimes it can feel a little daunting at first, so rest assured that we take that to heart. During your first appointment we will make sure we do an in-depth consultation where you can share a detailed history of your symptoms and lifestyle, so we will be able to truly tailor the treatment to you, based on your precise needs and concerns. We’ll also make a recommendation for follow-up care with your best interests, budget, and whole-person wellness in mind.
If you are thinking to try acupuncture for fertility, speak to your gynaecologist so she can help you weigh your options and establish a timeline that you can follow to feel more in control. Before receiving an acupuncture for fertility treatment is sometimes useful to have blood work done so that you can identify any possible underlying problems and we can be even more specific when treating you.
At A to Zen therapies we offer acupuncture, cupping, and different types of massage such as Deep tissue Massagee, Relaxing Massage, Lymphatic drainage massage, Reflexology which you can always choose to combine for the best outcome.
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We look forward to hearing your thoughts about this article! Please share your experience or any questions you may have about the efficacy of Acupuncture for fertility and its power to help you getting pregnant fast!
