Millions of couple dream of having children, but the path to parenthood is not always easy. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 17.5% of adults struggle with infertility. This does not include postmenopausal women, only men and women with some ovarian reserve.
Conventional approaches to fertility treatment are invasive, expensive, time-consuming, and can have unpleasant side effects for women. This is why more patients are seeking acupuncture for fertility in Chicago, with many turning to Life Balance Clinic.
What is Acupuncture for Fertility?
Chinese medicine for fertility takes a holistic perspective, dealing with the underlying cause. Traditional Chinese theory describes the underlying issues of infertility as imbalances in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood. It is often deficient or stagnant in fertility issues.
Acupuncture can be helpful when combined with conventional fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). A review of trials found that acupuncture can significantly boost pregnancy rates when performed during the follicle phase, or 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer. It’s also effective when timed to 30 minutes after embryo transfer, and again around implantation.
The effects of restoring Qi and blood balance are varied and highly relevant. Acupuncture and other Chinese fertility treatments may improve blood flow to the uterus, increasing the chances that the lining will be strong enough to hold an embryo. What’s more, it could improve egg quality by boosting stem cell factor, which maintains cellular health. The stress-relieving effects of acupuncture could improve fertility, too.
Benefits of combining acupuncture with fertility treatment
Acupuncture can be combined with IVF and other treatments to boost your chances of success.
One of common cause of infertility in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), where factors such as high testosterone reduce your chances of pregnancy. A study combining acupuncture at points including CV4, CV6, and SP6 with the anti-testosterone Diane-35 pill found that acupuncture increased ovulation rates from 80% to 93.3%. The pregnancy rate was also higher, at 43% compared to 33%.
As for male infertility, you may have low sperm counts, poor motility, or both. Motility affects your sperm’s ability to reach the egg in time and may reflect their overall health. Research demonstrates that acupuncture may dramatically boost mobility of sperm in some men, and improve their concentration. Although the same review only saw a small, non-significant increase in pregnancy rates, placebo acupuncture can still cause an effect.
What are the side effects of acupuncture for fertility?
Acupuncture is generally safe, but some adverse effects are possible during treatment. You may experience pain and minor bruising or bleeding, particularly if the needle was inserted too deep. Some people with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia should avoid acupuncture because of this.
Why choose acupuncture for infertility treatment at Life Balance Clinic?
If you’re searching “fertility acupuncture near me,” you’ve come to the right place. Life Balance Clinic is a leading Chinese medicine clinic in Glenview, IL. Its founder and lead clinician, Dr. Vadim Dekhtyar, DACM, has over 30 years of experience and continuing education in subjects including the treatment of male disorders. He offers a range of treatments including manual, ear, and laser acupuncture, and can treat both men and women.
For more information or to book an appointment, click here.