Acupuncture can be used to increase your chances of conceiving, whether you are hoping for a natural conception or planning to have in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. In 2008, a study published in the British Medical Journal was widely reported in the media (e.g. The Guardian, Friday 8th Feb 2008 ) stating that Acupuncture can increase the success rate of IVF treatment by up to 65%.

There has been a lot of interest in the role of acupuncture in increasing the effectiveness of IVF, and a lot of research trials have been published. 50% of my work is in the field of fertility, IVF and pregnancy support. Please read the stories from those ladies I treated for fertility in the 'Stories of fertility' section.

How does acupuncture help fertility?

Fertility focused acupuncture treatment can help to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, balance hormone levels, regulate the menstrual cycle and help improve the lining of the uterus and quality of eggs released. Additionally, conditions such as polycystic ovaries and endometriosis have also been shown to improve with acupuncture (From British Acupuncture Council)

Some of the positive effects of acupuncture in fertility treatment include:

• regulate the menstrual cycle and promote regular ovulation
• regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles
• Reduce raised FSH levels.
• improve the functions of ovaries to produce better quality eggs
• increase the thickness of the uterine lining so to encourage successful implantation
• reduce the chance of miscarriage
• enhance the vitality of sperm
• relieve the side effects of drugs used in IVF

Male fertility

Men today also face fertility problems. Benefits to male fertility have been helped by acupuncture with positive effects on sperm count, morphology and mobility. Many clinical trials in several countries have demonstrated the benefit of acupuncture to sperm quality. This is particularly the case where there is low motility or high numbers of abnormal forms.

Acupuncture in Pregnancy

Acupuncture treatment during pregnancy aims to smooth the flow of energy to promote general wellbeing. It can help relieve pain, improve mood and reduce anxiety, and alleviate pregnancy nausea and heartburn. Towards the end of pregnancy and past the due date, acupuncture is often used to encourage the natural process of labour.

Prebirth Treatments

Acupuncture treatment applied in the 4 weeks before the due date for delivery has been shown to reduce medical induction and emergency caesarian rates. It also has been shown to encourage cervical ripening and shorten labour time. (Betts D and Lennox S, Med Acup 2006, )