Acupuncture for Fertility Melbourne
Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing which seeks to correct imbalances in the flow of energy (Qi) via stimulating points in the body. Acupuncture treatment can be used to improve a wide range of conditions, including stress, gastrointestinal disorders and fatigue. Acupuncture treatment can also aid couples who are considering becoming pregnant, or are experiencing difficulties in conceiving. Acupuncture for fertility can help couples enhance their natural fertility as well as improve the chances of conception when undertaking In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
A beneficial option
Acupuncture for fertility is a beneficial treatment option for women with low fertility, including those suffering from oligomenorrhea (light or infrequent menstruation), luteal phase defects (disruptions in the monthly menstrual cycle) or other hormone disorders. Acupuncture treatment can help to optimize and regulate the menstrual cycle and improve overall general health in order to enhance female fertility, making it a good treatment option for women who are considering becoming pregnant, or are experiencing difficulties in falling pregnant. Studies have shown that acupuncture therapy may adjust endocrine (hormone) function in women, stimulating ovulation and therefore increasing the chance of pregnancy occurring.
One of the areas where acupuncture for fertility is most beneficial is when it is used as an aid to increase the chance of becoming pregnant during IVF treatment. There are many ways to utilize the potential benefit of acupuncture treatment during IVF. Studies have shown that patients who received acupuncture therapy on the same day as an embryo transfer had improved reproductive outcomes when compared to those who did not receive acupuncture for fertility. Another study has shown that patients undergoing an embryo transfer procedure who received acupuncture treatment 25 minutes before and 25 minutes after the procedure had a higher rate of clinical pregnancy than those who received an embryo transfer without any supportive therapy.
Helpful at varying stages of fertility acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture for fertility has also been shown to be beneficial to those undergoing IVF during different stages of the process. A study has shown that patients who are undergoing IVF treatment involving intracytoplasmic sperm injection also have higher rates of pregnancy if they receive acupuncture during the luteal-phase, compared to those who do not receive any acupuncture treatment.
Another way that acupuncture for fertility can help to promote pregnancy is to improve the fertility of the male. One reason a couple may experience difficulties in becoming pregnant can be low male fertility. This is often a result of decreased sperm activity. Studies have shown that acupuncture treatment, when compared to controls, can help to increase male fertility by improving sperm motility and activity. Acupuncture for fertility has also been shown to exert a regulatory effect on reproductive immune function, including exhibiting an inhibitory effect on cytotoxic antibodies that reduce sperm quality. Acupuncture therapy therefore could be highly beneficial to couples who are struggling to become pregnant due to poor male fertility.
Aside from the benefits of increased chance of pregnancy as a result of acupuncture for fertility, acupuncture treatment has also been shown to play an important role in improving the mental health of women undergoing IVF. One study showed that receiving acupuncture for fertility (to aid natural conception or as a supportive therapy to IVF) improved self-efficacy and psychological coping amongst women who were experiencing delays in getting pregnant.
Whether you are planning on becoming pregnant, are experiencing difficulties conceiving or are undergoing IVF treatment, contact our experienced acupuncture doctors at CityHealth for professional and compassionate acupuncture treatment.
References
Dieterle, S., Ying, G., Hatzmann, W., & Neuer, A. (2006). Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. Fertility and sterility, 85(5), 1347-1351.
Kovářová, P., Smith, C. A., & Turnbull, D. A. (2010). An exploratory study of the effect of acupuncture on self-efficacy for women seeking fertility support.Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 6(5), 330-334.
Mo, X., Li, D., Pu, Y., Xi, G., Le, X., & Fu, Z. (1993). Clinical studies on the mechanism for acupuncture stimulation of ovulation. JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE-ENGLISH EDITION-, 13, 115-115.
Paulus, W. E., Zhang, M., Strehler, E., El-Danasouri, I., & Sterzik, K. (2002). Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and sterility, 77(4), 721-724.
Sherman, S., Eltes, F., Wolfson, V., Zabludovsky, N., & Bartoov, B. (1997). Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality. Archives of andrology, 39(2), 155-161.
Westergaard, L. G., Mao, Q., Krogslund, M., Sandrini, S., Lenz, S., & Grinsted, J. (2006). Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial. Fertility and sterility, 85(5), 1341-1346.
Acupuncture for Fertility
The amount of Australians utilizing assisted reproduction therapies has increased dramatically over the past decade, along with the success rates of these procedures. Acupuncture for fertility is a therapy that can assist with preventing the decline in natural fertility by stimulating blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, and also assist in increasing the likelihood of success during in vitro fertilization (IVF). One study found that acupuncture for fertility on the day of an embryo transfer significantly improved the reproductive outcome compared to those who did not receive acupuncture (13).
Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy that can treat many conditions and is becoming a more popular treatment choice for many Australians.
References:
(1) Errington‐Evans, N., 2012. Acupuncture for anxiety. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 18(4), pp.277-284.
(2) Sudhakaran, P., 2014. Acupuncture for depression. Medical Acupuncture,26(4), pp.230-240.
(3) Wang, H., Qi, H., Wang, B.S., Cui, Y.Y., Zhu, L., Rong, Z.X. and Chen, H.Z., 2008. Is acupuncture beneficial in depression: a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials?. Journal of affective disorders, 111(2), pp.125-134.
(4) Han, J.S., 2004. Acupuncture and endorphins. Neuroscience letters, 361(1), pp.258-261.
(5) Manber, R., Schnyer, R.N., Allen, J.J., Rush, A.J. and Blasey, C.M., 2004. Acupuncture: a promising treatment for depression during pregnancy. Journal of affective disorders, 83(1), pp.89-95.
(6) Zhang, Z.J., Chen, H.Y., Yip, K.C., Ng, R. and Wong, V.T., 2010. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy in depressive disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 124(1), pp.9-21.
(7) Vincent, C.A., 1989. A Controlled Trial of the Treatment of Migraine by Acupuncute. The Clinical journal of pain, 5(4), pp.305-312.
(8) Loh, L., Nathan, P.W., Schott, G.D. and Zilkha, K.J., 1984. Acupuncture versus medical treatment for migraine and muscle tension headaches.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 47(4), pp.333-337.
(9) Alecrim-Andrade, J., Maciel-Júnior, J.A., Carnè, X., Vasconcelos, G.M.S. and Correa-Filho, H.R., 2008. Acupuncture in migraine prevention: a randomized sham controlled study with 6-months posttreatment follow-up.The Clinical journal of pain, 24(2), pp.98-105.
(10) Melchart, D., Weidenhammer, W., Streng, A., Hoppe, A., Pfaffenrath, V. and Linde, K., 2006. Acupuncture for chronic headaches—an epidemiological study. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 46(4), pp.632-641.
(11) Melchart, D., Weidenhammer, W., Streng, A., Hoppe, A., Pfaffenrath, V. and Linde, K., 2006. Acupuncture for chronic headaches—an epidemiological study. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 46(4), pp.632-641.
(12) Liu, Z., Sun, F., Li, J., Wang, Y. and Hu, K., 1993. Effect of acupuncture on weight loss evaluated by adrenal function. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine= Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan/sponsored by All-China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 13(3), pp.169-173.
Conveniently Located in CBD Melbourne
Ideal for lunch break appointments for busy professionals