There are many alternative methods available, including acupuncture, to help a woman to increase her fertility and achieve pregnancy. Acupuncture is used as an infertility medical treatment replacement or as a supplement to other infertility treatments. In her quest to become a mother, even Khloe Khardashian has considered every type of fertility treatment available to increase her chances for pregnancy.
Acupuncture Explained
Acupuncture is one of the oldest alternative medical practices in history. It is an alternative treatment choice that is part of traditional Chinese medicine.
The theory behind acupuncture is that the very thin needles used to gently puncture the surface of the skin can stimulate energy points, which are thought to control the flow of energy (Qi) through the body. It is believed that unblocking this slow of energy will help a patient gain spiritual, mental, emotional and physical equilibrium. Once balance is achieved, a woman’s body functions more efficiently. This allows the reproductive organs to function better and medical interventions like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to also work more effectively.
Infertility Help
Modern medicine and research studies find that the ancient art of acupuncture impacts a woman’s fertility in a variety of ways.
A recent study found that electro-acupuncture induces ovulation in greater than one-third of patients who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS).
Another study reports that acupuncture improves pregnancy rates of patients who are undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF. Those patients who chose to supplement their ART with acupuncture had a 42.4 percent rate of pregnancy versus those women who did not use acupuncture and scored a 26.3 percent rate of pregnancy.
Acupuncture also works by stimulating egg production in women who cannot or do not want to take fertility medication. This option eliminates the challenging side effects of fertility drugs. It is important to note that acupuncture stimulates the growth and release of a single egg, not multiple eggs that fertility drugs stimulate for the purpose of IVF.
Research shows that acupuncture increases the production of endorphins. Endorphins are produced in the brain and considered to be the body’s feel good chemical. They also help to regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle, which increases her chances of getting pregnant.
Acupuncture causes a neuroendocrine effect between the hypothalamus, the pituitary glands and the ovaries, which are all hormone-producing organs. This effect positively impacts egg production and ovulation.
The Protocol
It will take about two, 30-minute acupuncture treatments a week, over the course of several months, for the positive effects to be recognized.
A series of thin needles are strategically placed into specific energy meridians to improve a patient’s overall health and well-being. The treatment is based upon the placement of the needles in a grid style pattern running from head to toe. Acupuncture is nearly always painless.
The End Result
It is important to find a qualified practitioner who is licensed in acupuncture. All medical specialists involved in a woman’s care -- obstetrician, endocrinologist, fertility specialist and acupuncturist -- should work together to coordinate care to achieve the best results and, ultimately, pregnancy.
