How does Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture is a great way to naturally improve your fertility.
- For women, acupuncture is recommended to treat endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and ovarian reserve issues.
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For men, acupuncture is recommended to improve sperm quality.
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Acupuncture is an effective complementary treatment for patients undergoing Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertility (IVF) treatment.
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Sperm and eggs both take about 90 days to develop so having 3 months of acupuncture sessions is optimal for best results.
IUI & IVF
SUPPORT
Studies have shown improved endometrial thickness, reduced stress, and improved patient satisfaction.
Research is available to support acupunctures’ ability to improve clinical pregnancy rates, pregnancy outcomes and help couples who have previously failed IVF. In one review of past studies, researchers reviewed thirty trials with 6334 participants treated with acupuncture and IVF. Based on the results of those studies, researchers concluded that acupuncture can improve clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF.
When Should I get my first Treatment?
Fertility Treatment is optimal to start 16 weeks prior to any treatment.
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First Acupuncture Session: during the follicular phase (usually days 1-14 of your cycle)
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Second Acupuncture Session: during ovulation (on or around day 14 of a normal
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Third Acupuncture Session: during the luteal phase (after ovulation, usually lasting 12- 14 days)
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Fourth Acupuncture Treatment: during menstruation
The sooner you can begin the acupuncture treatment, the better. Research has shown that some treatment is better than no treatment, but acupuncture’s effectiveness increases with the number of acupuncture sessions prior to fertility treatment. For best results, both men and women should begin their acupuncture for fertility protocol approximately 3 months in advance of any planned fertility treatment.
IUI Acupuncture Treatment Protocol
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Treatment One: after heavy flow of menstruation
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Treatment Two: before trigger shot
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Treatment Three: “immediately” before the IUI (or intercourse)
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Treatment Four: a week after the IUI (or intercourse)
IVF Acupuncture Treatment Protocol
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Treatment One: after the heavy flow of menstruation
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Treatment Two: before egg retrieval
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Treatment 3 & 4: Immediately before and after embryo transfer.
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Treatment Five: 3-5 days after embryo transfer
Acupuncture Helps Improve Egg And Embryo Quality
To ensure the health of your future baby, you need to start with healthy eggs. Research has shown that acupuncture can improve both egg and embryo quality, leading to better chances of a successful pregnancy. In one study, researchers focused on the effects of acupuncture on women who had previously been diagnosed with infertility. The study found that acupuncture can help to increase the high-quality egg rate and high-quality embryo rates for women suffering from infertility and energetic kidney deficiency**.
**Energetic kidney deficiency is a common symptom of PCOS and may be responsible for causing women to experience irregular or absent menstrual periods.
What about Men's Fertility Support?
Acupuncture Improves
Men's Fertility In Many Ways Including:
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Sperm Count and motility
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Blood flow to the reproductive organs
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Decreasing chance of miscarriage
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Regulating the menstrual cycle
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Increasing the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)
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Reducing stress and anxiety associated with infertility
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Normalizing hormone production and endocrine systems
What to expect on your first session?
The first session is typically 90 minutes and includes diagnosis, thorough assessment of Chinese organ systems, menstrual/men's health assessment, and then treatment. Alexandra typically asks detailed questions and may suggest additional supplements/Chinese herbs to take during the treatment sessions. Please bring any information you think may be needed for the first session including an ovulation chart, blood test results, charts, and any information you think is important to know. Please fill out the intake form before coming to the first session.