Acupuncture Fertility Kent

Acupuncture and Fertility

Acupuncture, combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat infertility. Infertility describes the manifestation of an underlying cause rather than the cause itself.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used to treat certain causes of infertility, though not all of them.

Acupuncture is often combined with herbs to treat elevated FSH levels, habitual miscarriage, unexplained infertility, luteal phase defect, PCOS with anovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-dna-fragmentation.

For example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address adhesions within fallopian tubes, which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. In this situation, an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect on improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

When should acupuncture treatment begin?

Our advice to patients is that they are treated for three to four months before an insemination, IVF or donor-egg transfer or as preparation for conceiving naturally.

Clinical observations suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Western medical interventions. However, conception does occur when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without Western medical interventions.

Acupuncture and IVF

In an article, entitled " Influence of Acupuncture on the Pregnancy Rate in Patients who undergo Assisted Reproduction Therapy" (Fertility and Sterility, 2002) researchers found that they had increased the success rate of women undergoing in vitro fertilization. The study shows that the pregnancy rate for the group receiving acupuncture is considerably higher than for the control group (42.5% versus 26.3%). This research supports the knowledge that receiving acupuncture pre and post embryo transfer during IVF can enhance the chances of pregnancy.

Common cause of infertility.

Ovulation problems

Approximately 33% to 50% of all infertile women have problems with ovulation. The normal ovarian cycle is so complex that even small changes may disrupt the cycle and prevent ovulation.

In the majority of cases, the problem is caused by hormonal imbalances (e.g. not having enough of a certain hormone or not releasing a hormone at the right time). Often this may be caused by improper communication between the hypothalamus in the brain and the pituitary gland.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease in which cells that normally line the uterine cavity also implant outside the uterus on the ovaries or other pelvic organs. This condition is found in about 35% of women who have no other diagnosable infertility problem. There is no direct correlation between the severity of the symptoms and the extent of the disease. In fact, some women with a large amount of endometriosis may feel no discomfort.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility, affecting an estimated 5 - 10% of women of childbearing age. PCOS is a condition in which cysts develop in the ovaries due to abnormal hormone levels. The ovaries can then enlarge. Symptoms may include irregular or absent periods, high blood pressure, acne, elevated insulin levels, excess hair on the face and body, and weight problems.

When should you seek acupuncture +/ herbal medicine treatment?

You should consider having treatment if any of the following apply to you:

• Preparing to conceive
• Preparing for IVF/ ICSI i.e assisted reproduction
• Under 35 and been trying to conceive for one year
• Over 35 and been trying to conceive for 6 months without success
• Periods are irregular, painful or absent
• Previous history of miscarriage
• Prior use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception
• Prior use of contraceptive pill and no subsequent return of menstruation
• Endometriosis/ painful menstruation
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Heavy periods
• PMT
• Suffer with diarrhoea/ loose stools
• Alternating diarrhoea and constipation
• Tiredness
• Depression/ weepiness
• High Blood Pressure
• History of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• History of pelvic inflammation
• History of chemotherapy or radiation therapy

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