Infertility is a frustrating condition affecting individuals and couples in Sherman Oaks, California and across the nation. Those who are suffering from infertility, or who believe they may be suffering from infertility, are encouraged to explore all of their options. There are several traditional fertility treatments and procedures that have helped many couples overcome infertility, but non-traditional approaches to treating infertility have also been successful in improving fertility. In many cases, traditional and non-traditional treatments are combined with great success.
Infertility is often defined as an inability to get pregnant after a year of unprotected sex. For women over the age of 35, infertility is defined as an inability to get pregnant after six months of unprotected sex. When this is the case, couples are encouraged to explore their options for treating the condition.
Acupuncture is an example of an alternative treatment that has helped couples overcome infertility. It involves inserting tiny sterile needles into specific points on the body. This is intended to release Qi, or the life energy that flows through the body. Stress, trauma, poor diet or lack of exercise may lead to Qi becoming blocked, which may manifest in the form of infertility. By opening the pathways to regulate the body's function, the internal reproductive organs may again function properly.
Patients undergoing acupuncture must lie still as the needles are manually stimulated. Each session may last between 20 and 30 minutes, although this varies. Acupuncture has helped patients relieve stress and improve hormonal balances. It may also strengthen the immune system, increase the blood flow to the uterus, increase the thickness of the uterine lining and help to reduce the negative side effects of fertility drugs.
Stress may be an inhibitor of fertility for many couples. For some, the desire to get pregnant is so strong that it stresses the couple to the point that it hurts their chances of becoming pregnant. The exact reasons for the success of acupuncture are not fully understood, although it has been known to relieve stress and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs. It may also improve sperm count in men, as well as the quality of eggs produced by the female.
Some studies have been conducted that indicate improved success rates of in vitro fertilization when it is combined with acupuncture. Many practitioners of acupuncture recommend that women begin the treatment three to six months before beginning fertility treatment, as it is thought that women need at least three months for the effects of the treatment to take effect. Some also choose to undergo one additional session of acupuncture right before and right after the fertility treatment has been performed.
Some practitioners also recommend acupuncture for the first three months of pregnancy, as the majority of miscarriages take place within this time period. Specific points are used to help prevent miscarriage when acupuncture is applied during this time. Many continue acupuncture until the thirteenth week of pregnancy.
The price of the treatment tends to vary, but may run between $60 and $80 at most clinics. About 12 sessions are usually recommended for the full effects of the treatment. Those interested are strongly encouraged to seek treatment from a trained and talented practitioner of acupuncture in the Sherman Oaks community to ensure a safe, effective treatment.
Learn more about acupuncture in Sherman Oaks, California.
