Infertility is a heartbreaking problem for women who want to start a family, but it is surprisingly common. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 10.9% of all women ages 15 to 44 and 6.0% of married women the same age are unable to get pregnant within a year. Fortunately, numerous treatments are available to help you conceive. Fertility acupuncture is a low-risk, high-success option that can be used alone or as part of an integrated solution to infertility.

What Is Fertility Acupuncture?
Fertility acupuncture has been a standard treatment in Chinese medicine for more than 5,000 years. It is based on the acupuncture theory of Qi, or vital energy that flows through the body along certain pathways. Acupuncture uses painless needle placement to stimulate key spots on the body that rebalance the energy and improve health.

Fertility acupuncture places needles at spots that calm the body and mind, enrich health in the reproductive organs, and move Qi flow in a direction that encourages the creation of life. It is generally used as part of a fully customized fertility plan that also includes herbal remedies, nutritional guidance, and personal counseling. If desired, fertility acupuncture can also be used in tandem with traditional fertility treatments.

Although each situation is different, acupuncture treatments typically take place about twice a week, for 30 minutes per session. Treatment generally lasts for 3 to 6 months, and may continue through the first trimester of pregnancy. Although some specific acupuncture points must be avoided after conception, continuing to treat the remaining points can help to maximize the chances for a successful full-term pregnancy.

Who Is a Candidate?
Fertility acupuncture is generally considered safe regardless of prior health status. Of course, your initial visit will consist of a detailed examination of your current physical and emotional situation, and we will customize a treatment plan that is right for you. In addition, fertility acupuncture does not fix structural problems such as fibroid tumors or fallopian tube blockages, nor will it cause fertility in women who are past their childbearing years. A traditional medical workup can help you identify any issues that need to be treated before beginning fertility acupuncture.

Who Is a Candidate?
Fertility acupuncture is generally considered safe regardless of prior health status. Of course, your initial visit will consist of a detailed examination of your current physical and emotional situation, and we will customize a treatment plan that is right for you. In addition, fertility acupuncture does not fix structural problems such as fibroid tumors or fallopian tube blockages, nor will it cause fertility in women who are past their childbearing years. A traditional medical workup can help you identify any issues that need to be treated before beginning fertility acupuncture.

Is This Supported by Science?
Although acupuncture has been an important part of Eastern medicine for millennia, only recently have Western doctors begun to embrace its use. Increasingly, fertility specialists are encouraging their patients to incorporate acupuncture as part of an integrated approach to solving infertility issues. Many, though not all, insurance companies now pay for acupuncture treatments.

The reason for this is simple. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in a variety of well-controlled scientific studies. For example, a 2002 German study showed that in patients undergoing IVF (in vitro fertilization), those who incorporated fertility acupuncture had much higher success rates. Similar studies have shown that acupuncture can also help with men’s reproductive health and boost their fertility by improving sperm count and treating prostate issues.

What Are the Risks?
There are few risks associated with fertility acupuncture treatment. The primary concern is that some of the same treatment points used to stimulate pregnancy can also cause miscarriage in already-pregnant women. Therefore, if there is any possibility that you could be pregnant, it is essential that you take a pregnancy test before we begin.

Of course, while our herbal remedies are generally considered safe, they could interact with certain medications. Make sure we have a full list of all medicines you take, and before beginning any new medication, let your doctor know about the fertility herbs you are on. Likewise, if you choose to use fertility acupuncture in tandem with traditional medical solutions such as IVF, tell us as well as your IVF specialist. We will work together to create a detailed, harmonious treatment plan rather than working at cross purposes.

How Do I Know if Fertility Acupuncture Is Right for Me?
Fertility acupuncture is an excellent solution for many people, but it is not right for everyone. If you would like to learn more about the process, give us a call. We will be happy to schedule an initial appointment to determine your current physical and emotional situation, answer all of your questions, and provide a detailed treatment plan. Becoming informed about your options is the best way to make the decision that is best for you.

Located in Pacific Palisades, with satellite clinics around the region, Thumos Health Center specializes in integrative treatment approaches that blend our expertise in Chinese medicine with the Western solutions of your outside provider. We pride ourselves on our compassionate and personalized approach to each patient, treating every person we see as a unique individual with a unique story. Contact us today to start your road to integrative wellness.