INFERTILITY LINE

Acupuncture is gaining increased popularity as a form of treatment in the western word and infertility acupuncture is statrting to make people sit up and take notice. However, gaining wider acceptance is still going to take a little time. Acupuncture is seen as an alternative form of treatment in infertility cases. With western medical experts still trying to come to terms with why a procedure like acupuncture would work and how it works, in the area of infertility, it seems to compliment modern fertility treatments quite well.

Infertility acupuncture again, is one of those alternative methods struggling couples eventually turn to after exhausting most other traditional medical means.

Infertility acupuncture specialists are sprouting up across the United States - and contrary to popular belief - are not necessarily of an Asian ethnicity. Infertility acupuncture practitioners use this ancient Chinese medicine treatment that involves inserting fine metallic needles into specific pressure points in the body. These needles are regulated by the FDA and are used to stimulate the body to achieve mental and physical balance.

Infertility acupuncture usually does not hurt. Patients often just feel a slight twinge. The benefits reported have been tremendous – some of which are helping to regulate ovulation or menstrual cycles and improve sperm mobility and motility.

Who Benefits From Infertility Acupuncture?

Infertility acupuncture is also recommended for couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) because it has proven to get better quantity and quality of eggs in women struggling with infertility. Performing the acupuncture immediately before and after the egg transfer has resulted in higher pregnancy rates primarily because infertility acupuncture causes the uterus to relax. Otherwise, contractions in the uterus could expel the egg.

Western researchers used to be wary of this traditional practice but now even the National Institutes of Health have found some evidence of the benefits of infertility acupuncture.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

As with anything there are disadvantages. Infertility acupuncture is usually recommended for functional problems such as irregular ovulation as compared to tube blockage which is more of a structural problem.

Infertility acupuncture is not a one time procedure and usually takes several sessions with a specialist over a period of several weeks. Many infertility acupuncture practitioners also recommend Chinese herbs and supplements to be taken while undergoing this treatment.

Several research studies have shown that infertility acupuncture works best when used in conjunction with Western medicine. It need not be a stand-alone treatment. However, patients need to facilitate good communication between both doctors to see if there could be a possible reaction between medications. Always make sure that the acupuncturist is licensed to practice in your state.

The debate, although dying down, still goes on about why infertility acupuncture would work. As with most Chinese therapy, regulation of the body's system is key to the whole treatment process and acupuncture is no different. Aiding blood flow to the reproductive organs and at the same time stabilizing hormone levels are one of the functioning results of acupuncture. Increasing ovarian function in women and boosting the sperm count in men also result.