The combination of Acupuncture and IUI is a popular choice for increasing the success rates of infertility treatments. Couples facing problems opt for various infertility treatments to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) is one such treatment where prepared sperms of the male partner are injected into the uterus of the woman to increase the chances of fertilization. Acupuncture is an age-old Chinese method for balancing the energy flow in the human body system.
The success of IUI may be affected by various factors, and if these negative factors are controlled, this procedure can give high success rates. This is what is achieved by combining the IUI procedure with acupuncture treatment.
Egg Quality
With age, the quality of the egg decreases. Only a good-quality egg can be successfully fertilized or implanted in the uterine wall. Even after performing IUI, if the egg quality is poor, it may lead to the failure of either fertilization or implantation. However, with acupuncture, egg quality can be improved because this treatment increases the flow of blood to the ovaries and uterus. Improved blood flow will increase the amount of hormones and other nutrients reaching the ovaries. An adequately nourished ovary can produce good quality eggs. Thus, acupuncture can improve the success of the IUI procedure.
Endometriosis and Hormonal Levels
Endometriosis is a growth outside the ovaries in women leading to the problems in conception. In such women, GnRH (gonadotropin Releasing Hormone) raises the GnRH levels. As a result of this, FSH and LH gonadotropin hormones are not released in adequate quantities, leading to reduced activity of the ovaries. When acupuncture treatment is given, these gonadotropin hormones are released adequately, thereby stimulating the ovaries. Thus, it can help in increasing the pregnancy rate when combined with the IUI treatment.
When there is an imbalance in the hormone (progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, E2 and so on) levels, it might lead to the failure of an IUI procedure. With acupuncture, this imbalance can be corrected as acupuncture treatment acts on the hormone regulatory points of the autonomic nervous system and the brain. Due to the balanced hormone levels, IUI can have an increased success rate.
Easy Procedure
Though the actual effects of acupuncture on the improvement of fertility have not been proven in scientific ways, its presence in the World Health Organization’s list gives a hope to the positive effects of this treatment. It is almost a non-invasive method, which is painless and enduces zero side effects. Certain studies claim that it can improve the chances of pregnancies, even in women with IUI or IVF failures. As this is an economical and non invasive treatment with no negative consequences, it is better to combine this traditional method with the modern IUI procedure to improve the chances.
Word of Caution
Undergoing acupuncture with an unprofessional person may lead to many potential complications; hence, it is essential to search for a qualified and certified acupuncturist to have this treatment. Discuss your medical history and infertility problems in detail with the acupuncturist so that appropriate corrective treatment can be carried out to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
