Acupuncture has been widely used to treat pain in different parts of the body, from the head, joints to certain points on the back. But inserting thin needles through the skin has another surprising health benefit.
The effects of acupuncture could also help treat infertility.
It is a good combination of Eastern and Western medicine. But before you go look for an acupuncturist to help you conceive, it is important to know how the practice works as fertility treatment.
Better Blood Flow
Studies showed that the positive effects of acupuncture could help improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. This works especially in women who have been experiencing the effects of aging, such as reduced blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
Acupuncture may also help enhance the quality and receptivity of the uterine lining, which plays an important role in implantation.
Boosts Ovulation
Acupuncture increases ovulation by stimulating beta-endorphin production. This process prompts hormones to begin ovulation and menstruation.
Irregular or lack of ovulation is one of the reasons women experience fertility problems. It occurs due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which causes congestion in ovaries.
One study showed that women who received acupuncture treatments for 10 to 13 weeks had higher ovulation frequency despite having PCOS.
Lowers Stress
Acupuncture is known for helping reduce stress. The needles helps tap the part of the nervous system that supports relaxation, called the parasympathetic division.
Stress affects the blood flow to the reproductive organs. Activating the body’s "rest and digest" state during acupuncture helps boost fertility in people and improve sleep quality, digestion and energy levels.
Supports IVF
Some acupuncture effects could help improve implantation rates after an embryo transfer. Research showed that women who regularly received needle treatment for months before they underwent IVF had better live birth rates.
Another study found that performing acupuncture three weeks leading up to and during IVF ovarian stimulation could increase the number of mature eggs as well as fertilization rates.
