When you’re struggling with infertility, the journey to becoming a parent can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining. However, studies have shown that acupuncture can help make your IVF journey easier and more successful.
Want to learn more in an easy-to-read infographic? Check out our blog post here.
So How Does TCM Help?
There have been many studies on the positive effects acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have had on people struggling with infertility. It has been shown that receiving acupuncture in conjunction with IVF increases the odds of conceiving and delivering a healthy baby. Some benefits of fertility acupuncture include:
- Increased ovarian response
- Increased estrogen levels (if low)
- Enhanced follicle/egg quality
- Increased follicle/egg quantity
- Improved sperm vitality and reduced fragmentation
- Relief of medication side effects
- Increased endometrial thickness (when too thin)
- Increased implantation rates
- Reduced stress hormones
- Continuous patient support through a healthy, full-term delivery (not just a positive HCG test)
It’s also been shown that acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help with infertility in men, too. It can influence sperm quality, follicular movement, and more by increasing blood supply, which contains oxygen and nutrients, to the testicles and follicles. Acupuncture can also help by:
- Increasing sperm count
- Improving sperm mobility
- Improving sperm morphology
- Regulating hormones
- Increasing blood flow
- Correcting some immune factors that can interfere with conception.
About ABORM
The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) was formed by acupuncturists and reproductive endocrinologists. It is devoted to teaching, research, and the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as it relates to the treatment of reproductive disorders.
Alison Larmee Born became a Fellow of ABORM in 2016. She is the first acupuncturist in Southeastern North Carolina to become board-certified in this field, and one of only 11 practitioners with this designation in the state.
Personal Experience
Alison and her husband also struggled with this diagnosis personally, and therefore can relate to how trying it can be, both physically and emotionally. Alison strives to create a safe, judgment-free space where people struggling with infertility can feel at-ease and decompress. At Cape Fear Community Acupuncture, we’re honored to help more patients and couples in the area to achieve their dream of having a family.
After a thorough history and intake – including diagnostic test review when available – we will assess if a patient needs to go for lab testing first, if the partner needs treatment too, or if they can proceed with acupuncture/herbal treatment right away. Regardless of what stage a person or couple begins treatment at, the end goal is always the same: delivering a healthy, full-term baby.
If you’re struggling with infertility, contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how acupuncture and TCM can help improve your odds.
You can also add Celluma Light Therapy to enhance your fertility treatments for $10 per session. Learn more about Celluma Light Therapy here.
Article written by Alison:
Struggling with Fertility Issues? Your “Healthy Diet” may be Missing the Mark (Natural Awakenings, May 2018)