Treating Infertility
Acupuncture for Infertility
Infertility doesn’t have one single cause. The man may have abnormal sperm production, the woman may have blocked fallopian tubes, or a host of other physical ailments on both sides. In addition to these obvious physical reasons, stress may also play a role in infertility.
Doctors aren’t sure whether stress causes infertility or if the difficulty getting pregnant caused the stress. There’s no doubt, though, that women especially experience significantly heightened stress when they’re trying to get pregnant but are unable to. When you add in the typical stressors common in modern life, such as being overworked and not eating well or exercising, it’s no surprise that it takes a toll on your body.
Your acupuncturist can perform fertility-oriented treatments and evaluate overall lifestyle to understand your likely stressors. We look at diet and exercise habits as well as your work and relaxation habits. Then, we work with you to make changes that help reduce stress and improve your chances of conception.
How Does Stress Relate to Infertility?
Our bodies exist in a delicate balance, every part working together. When any single area is thrown off, it can have a rippling effect throughout the body. For example, a woman’s ovulation cycle relies on balance between the reproductive, hypothalamus, and pituitary glands. Of course, stress affects hormone production and may cause issues with ovulation as well as sperm count or impotence.
These issues are due in part to the fact that stress causes your body to release cortisol. This starts that ripple effect, which may impact ovulation, implantation, sperm production, and more.
How Can Acupuncture Help?
One of the most popular side effects of acupuncture is reduced stress. In addition, fertility-oriented acupuncture helps increase blood flow to your reproductive organs. This improves the chances that an egg will be fertilized, implanted, and carried to term, which is obviously the ultimate goal. Acupuncture also helps balance hormone production – another byproduct of reducing the stress hormone cortisol.
Your acupuncturist also works with you to develop healthy lifestyle habits that support optimum health, including diet and exercise. This balanced, holistic approach is a key component of acupuncture.
Unfortunately, acupuncture treatments cannot solve every infertility issue – no type of treatment can make that kind of claim. But, it is a powerful tool to reduce stress and bring the body back into balance and harmony.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first appointment lasts 60 to 90 minutes. During that time, we discuss your medical history and reason for coming to Accurate Acupuncture. We also explain your treatment options and our holistic approach to wellness. I will answer any questions you have about acupuncture and how I believe it may address your infertility issues. We’ll also determine your ideal treatment schedule and whether your insurer will cover treatments (if applicable). Many health insurance companies today cover acupuncture, yet another sign that the practice is recognized by Western medicine as effective and valuable.
If you’re ready to begin or have any questions, complete our contact form today or call us at 928-274-1980.