An Introduction to Acupuncture for Fertility

So you know what acupuncture is. Your friends are all telling you to try it to help you get pregnant. Maybe you’re getting frustrated with your fertility journey – why is it taking so long? – or maybe you’re just getting started but want to know you’re doing everything you can to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. But you’re wondering how getting treated with tiny needles is going to help improve your fertility. If you’re curious about how acupuncture can improve fertility, you’re not alone. Acupuncture can influence fertility in a number of ways.

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Hormone Regulation

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is thought of in terms of Yin and Yang. Yin is cool, watery, passive, and receptive, while Yang is hot, fiery, active, and expansive. Yin and Yang must be balanced for the menstrual cycle to be regular and optimally fertile. Balancing Yin and Yang is another way to think of balancing hormones. Acupuncture can regulate hormones that play a role in the menstrual cycle and ovulation, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone.

Blood Flow

Good blood flow to the ovaries and uterus is essential for fertility. Acupuncture can significantly increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, improving egg quality and the ability of a fertilized egg to implant. This improved blood flow also supplies nutrients to the developing eggs before ovulation and nourishes the uterine lining to support healthy implantation in early pregnancy.

Stress Reduction

Stress is one of many factors that can negatively impact fertility, particularly in modern-day life. Acupuncture regulates the nervous system to improve stress resiliency, allowing you to bounce back from stress more easily and reducing the impact of stress on your hormones.

Improved Ovarian Function

Healthy ovulation is an essential piece of the fertility puzzle which relies on healthy, responsive ovaries. Acupuncture can improve ovarian function and promote regular ovulation, which increases your chances of conceiving.

Sperm Counts and Quality

Optimal fertility, of course, requires healthy sperm. Whether or not you’ve been told you have issues with sperm counts or quality, improving sperm quality will increase fertility for couples who are trying to conceive. Acupuncture improves both numbers of sperm and their quality in as little as 4 weeks.

Reduced Inflammation

Inflammation in the reproductive system can impair fertility by damaging eggs and sperm and reducing chances for implantation. Our immune systems must be well-tuned in order to enhance the implantation process and cue the body to accept a new pregnancy. Acupuncture reduces overall inflammation in the body and balances immune factors to promote conception.

Egg Quality

Egg quality is an elusive measure that indicates eggs with enough energy (mitochondria) and internal organization (chromosomal integrity) to successfully fertilize and rapidly grow to hundreds of organized cells that are ready to implant. Acupuncture improves egg quality, which increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

IVF Success

For those undergoing IVF treatment, acupuncture is an essential tool to improve success rates. By improving blood flow, ovarian responsiveness, and egg quality, acupuncture can lead to an improved number and quality of eggs. Acupuncture can also play an essential role in preparing for an embryo transfer and has been shown to improve IVF success rates by up to 65% in some studies.

If you’re struggling with fertility, acupuncture is a key addition to your treatment plan. A qualified fertility acupuncture expert can help you decide on the best course of treatment for your individual needs and support you through the fertility process.

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Where does your anxiety live?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Does it flutter in your heart? Does it wrap around your lungs and make it difficult to breathe? Does it creep up your back and neck, leaving tension in its wake?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The acupuncture point Small Intestine 11, also called Celestial Gathering, relieves anxiety and opens the chest. This point calms and relaxes the heart and creates a feeling of space in the chest that makes you want to breathe deeply. It releases tension from the shoulder blade all the way up the back of the neck. I will often treat this point with both needles and moxa (a warming technique).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you ever struggle with anxiety? Where do you feel it most?

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Where does your anxiety live?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Does it flutter in your heart? Does it wrap around your lungs and make it difficult to breathe? Does it creep up your back and neck, leaving tension in its wake?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The acupuncture point Small Intestine 11, also called Celestial Gathering, relieves anxiety and opens the chest. This point calms and relaxes the heart and creates a feeling of space in the chest that makes you want to breathe deeply. It releases tension from the shoulder blade all the way up the back of the neck. I will often treat this point with both needles and moxa (a warming technique).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you ever struggle with anxiety? Where do you feel it most?

Hello to half of the fertility equation, guys.

The health of the sperm is super, duper important. It is every bit as important as egg health and likely plays a role for the huge number of couples who have received an “unexplained infertility” diagnosis (which is not a real diagnosis, by the way). Sperm health is also incredibly variable and sensitive to lifestyle interventions as well as targeted acupuncture, herbal therapy, and many supplements. Sperm counts and quality can improve in as little as a month and can make a huge difference for couples who are trying to conceive.

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Hello to half of the fertility equation, guys.

The health of the sperm is super, duper important. It is every bit as important as egg health and likely plays a role for the huge number of couples who have received an “unexplained infertility” diagnosis (which is not a real diagnosis, by the way). Sperm health is also incredibly variable and sensitive to lifestyle interventions as well as targeted acupuncture, herbal therapy, and many supplements. Sperm counts and quality can improve in as little as a month and can make a huge difference for couples who are trying to conceive.

Hello gorgeous!

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“You can’t create a new version of yourself while dragging your old habits and behaviors behind you.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Change is hard but so necessary. Your current habits, habitats, behaviors, and beliefs have gotten you to exactly where you are today. If you want tomorrow to look different, you’re going to have to make some changes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I believe so strongly in the power of acupuncture and botanical medicine but never discount the necessity of lifestyle changes to keep my clients from ending back up right where they started. I think that a big part of our work is to create space that allows change to happen.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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From @biolayne on @hubermanlab.

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“You can’t create a new version of yourself while dragging your old habits and behaviors behind you.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Change is hard but so necessary. Your current habits, habitats, behaviors, and beliefs have gotten you to exactly where you are today. If you want tomorrow to look different, you’re going to have to make some changes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I believe so strongly in the power of acupuncture and botanical medicine but never discount the necessity of lifestyle changes to keep my clients from ending back up right where they started. I think that a big part of our work is to create space that allows change to happen.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
From @biolayne on @hubermanlab.

Are you feeling the springtime, Wood-energy disruption? Sleep been off? Muscles feeling stiff and achy? Maybe a bit irritable about how slowly things are moving in your life?
Rebalance that Wood element with these daily practices:

Stretch.
Regular stretching is an excellent way to start and end your day. Adding yoga or tai chi to your daily routine can provide even greater benefits for your joints, connective tissues, and overall health. These practices not only help with flexibility but also promote relaxation and mindfulness, which can reduce stress and increase overall well-being. This season is all about ‘flow’.

Go Outside.
Spending more time outdoors is an easy and effective way to support Wood energies during the spring. Moving around outside can increase your heart rate and keep your blood flowing smoothly. Exposing yourself to daylight, especially in the mornings, helps your body stay in sync with the daily cycles of day and night. This balances cortisol and melatonin levels, supporting deep, restful sleep and energetic mornings.

Understand Your Constitution.
When a person is in complete balance, transitioning from one season to another tends to go unnoticed. However, a person with a strong Wood element in their constitution may experience irritability and frustration during the spring season. In East Asian Medicine, we understand that the Wood phase is being taxed by this season, which can cause feelings of being stuck, frustrated, or angry. People who tend to feel these emotions easily will benefit from extra attention to gentle movement and having dedicated time for rest.

6 1

Open

Are you feeling the springtime, Wood-energy disruption? Sleep been off? Muscles feeling stiff and achy? Maybe a bit irritable about how slowly things are moving in your life?
Rebalance that Wood element with these daily practices:

Stretch.
Regular stretching is an excellent way to start and end your day. Adding yoga or tai chi to your daily routine can provide even greater benefits for your joints, connective tissues, and overall health. These practices not only help with flexibility but also promote relaxation and mindfulness, which can reduce stress and increase overall well-being. This season is all about ‘flow’.

Go Outside.
Spending more time outdoors is an easy and effective way to support Wood energies during the spring. Moving around outside can increase your heart rate and keep your blood flowing smoothly. Exposing yourself to daylight, especially in the mornings, helps your body stay in sync with the daily cycles of day and night. This balances cortisol and melatonin levels, supporting deep, restful sleep and energetic mornings.

Understand Your Constitution.
When a person is in complete balance, transitioning from one season to another tends to go unnoticed. However, a person with a strong Wood element in their constitution may experience irritability and frustration during the spring season. In East Asian Medicine, we understand that the Wood phase is being taxed by this season, which can cause feelings of being stuck, frustrated, or angry. People who tend to feel these emotions easily will benefit from extra attention to gentle movement and having dedicated time for rest.

Health is all about cycles.
Each cycle within our body syncs with all the other cycles within our body. Our body`s cycles also sync with the cycles in our environment.

I always emphasize attuning sleep and wake cycles, especially for my clients with irregular menstrual cycles, fertility challenges, and hormonal imbalances. I also recommend deep breathing practices to anyone who will listen. Cycles are the reason.

By slowing our breath and living in tune with the daylight, we calm our heartbeat and regulate our daily hormones (especially cortisol and melatonin) so that our menstrual cycles and monthly hormones (estrogen and progesterone and many others) can regulate as well.

16 6

Open

Health is all about cycles.
Each cycle within our body syncs with all the other cycles within our body. Our body's cycles also sync with the cycles in our environment.

I always emphasize attuning sleep and wake cycles, especially for my clients with irregular menstrual cycles, fertility challenges, and hormonal imbalances. I also recommend deep breathing practices to anyone who will listen. Cycles are the reason.

By slowing our breath and living in tune with the daylight, we calm our heartbeat and regulate our daily hormones (especially cortisol and melatonin) so that our menstrual cycles and monthly hormones (estrogen and progesterone and many others) can regulate as well.

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