| Acupuncture is the ancient practice of inserting | | | | through the various stresses of fertility treatments. |
| ultra-thin needles into specific areas of the body. | | | | But studies have shown that acupuncture can |
| These areas are specific to the need each person | | | | increase the pregnancy rates of women undergoing |
| requires and women undergoing fertility treatments | | | | IVF and it can lower miscarriage and rates as well. |
| are no different. | | | | Acupuncture is not a one time procedure. It is |
| The first place to start is with a qualified | | | | generally recommended that women who choose to |
| acupuncturist who is knowledgeable about fertility | | | | combine acupuncture with Interuterine insemination |
| issues. Next if acupuncture is being used alone, it | | | | (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor egg transfer |
| probably works best to deal with functional problems | | | | begin acupuncture procedures up to three months |
| - like irregular ovulation or follicular function - and not | | | | before their fertility procedures so that their |
| structural problems - like blocked fallopian tubes. | | | | practitioner can get their body as ready as possible. |
| Often acupuncturists will have their patients use | | | | Many women choose to extend their acupuncture |
| herbs in addition to the acupuncture treatment | | | | procedure after conception through the first |
| because it is thought that the two complement each | | | | trimester of their pregnancy. If you choose to do |
| other and the energies flow together. Just make sure | | | | this, make sure that your practitioner no longer |
| to tell your practitioner and your doctor of all the | | | | places the needles on your abdomen or pelvic area |
| herbs and medications you are taking at all times. | | | | after your IUI or transfer. |
| But let's say you want to consider using acupuncture | | | | Some women may be concerned about using |
| in addition to the treatments your doctor is | | | | acupuncture in general just because it does involve |
| recommending. Are anyone's feelings going to be | | | | needles and it doesn't have an explainable reason for |
| upset? Not likely. In fact, most OB's and RE's | | | | working. First of all, there are few risk in using |
| recognize that acupuncture assists their efforts even | | | | acupuncture if it is performed by a trained |
| if they aren't sure exactly how it works. | | | | practitioner who specializes in treating fertility |
| Acupuncture can be used to treat many types of | | | | disorders. And secondly, we all need to remember |
| fertility disorders. By itself it may be able to treat | | | | that this is a branch of medicine that has been used |
| spasmed tubes. With the combination of herbs your | | | | in the East for centuries with much success and just |
| practitioner can treat elevated follical stimulating | | | | because we can't explain it doesn't mean other |
| hormone (FSH), related pregnancy loss, unexplained | | | | people don't know how it works. But if you don't feel |
| infertility, luteal phase defect, polycystic ovarian | | | | comfortable with it - don't use it. Acupuncture is, for |
| syndrome (PCOS), and some male factor fertility | | | | most women undergoing fertility treatments, a |
| issues. | | | | complementary therapy meant to increase the |
| What does acupuncture do to help your fertility | | | | success of the procedures that their doctor |
| treatments? Some people believe that it's greatest | | | | prescribes for them. |
| benefit is in keeping the woman more relaxed | | | | |