Alternative Infertility Treatments: Acupuncture

Acupuncture is included in the realm of alternative infertility treatments. Many infertile couples are now turning to alternative methods before beginning or in conjunction with other treatments. However, the ability of acupuncture to reverse infertility is disputed. While many couples have successfully become pregnant after undergoing acupuncture treatments, very few of these cases used acupuncture alone.

Below is an explanation of how treatments are performed, the benefits of acupuncture and issues to consider prior to beginning treatment.

Acupuncture Explained

Acupuncture is the insertion of extremely thin needles into certain trigger points on the body. Most acupuncture patients report that the procedure is painless. An acupuncturist is a licensed professional whose practice is regulated by the state. Acupuncturists are not physicians. Often, acupuncture treatments are combined with ingesting herbs or natural medicines. Treatment frequency will vary based on the acupuncturist’s recommendation. As always, though, investigate an acupuncturist’s background and license to make sure it is up to date, and do not ingest any herbal medicines before speaking with your physician about any possible side effects or damage it may do to your body.

The Purpose of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is not designed to increase fertility or enable a patient to become pregnant or fertilize an egg. Acupuncture is designed to release tension in the body and regulate a body’s processes, including hormone production. Acupuncture, therefore, does not directly affect a body’s natural reproduction capabilities, but may increase the frequency of ovulation or quality of egg or sperm production. Do not think of acupuncture as a fix to infertility, but rather a treatment to rebalance your body.

The Benefits of Acupuncture

Both men and women report that acupuncture has reduced stress and restored or enhanced their body’s function. Acupuncture reduces stress, which may increase a body’s ability to become pregnant. Additionally, acupuncture provides a patient with the feeling she can manage fertility issues without needing to resort to procedures or medications. Acupuncture has been reported to detoxify a patient’s body, increase the body’s natural hormones and regulate blood flow.

The Drawbacks of Acupuncture

Acupuncture, however, is not without its dangers. If performed by an unlicensed or inexperienced acupuncturist, the needles could be placed improperly resulting in damage to muscles or nerves. Furthermore, acupuncture is very rarely the only treatment a patient undergoes for fertility issues. In addition to ingesting herbs, many patients must undergo treatment by a physician. It is possible that acupuncture may reverse or impede treatments performed by a physician. Always speak with your doctor prior to starting any additional treatments.  

Acupuncture after Pregnancy

While acupuncture may be performed on a female patient prior to pregnancy, treatments may need to be discontinued after becoming pregnant. An improperly placed needle can induce early labor, cause a miscarriage or the body to release hormones dangerous to the baby or mother. These risks make it unwise to continue treatments after the beginning of a pregnancy.

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