GET PREGNANT

The Chinese believe that the mind and body are inextricably linked. Any imbalance in the flow of energy around the body directly affects the functioning of the body. For example, a person who worries excessively may have a stomach ulcer due to the increased mental activity affecting the functioning of the stomach. Acupuncture treatment focuses on treating the whole person and increasing a person’s overall well being.

In 1979, the World Health Organisation detailed over 40 diseases that could be successfully treated with acupuncture, including breathing and digestive problems, disorders of the nervous system and menstrual problems. Acupuncture treatment has helped regulate menstrual cycles, improve sperm health and helped couples conceive healthy babies. 

The evidence

• Improve sperm quality – A study in Germany showed that acupuncture improved the number and quality of sperm in men who suffered low sperm counts, poor motility and a high number of abnormal sperm.

• Improves hormone production – the reproductive hormones are released by the pituitary gland in the brain and affect ovarian function. Following acupuncture treatment many women with irregular menstrual cycles or irregular ovulation have regulated their hormones. Specific attention was paid to the points associated with the hypothalamus-pituitary ovarian axis.

• Raised hormone levels – older women tend to have more erratic monthly cycles and find it more difficult to conceive. In clinical studies, acupuncture can help normalize levels of FSH, LH, oestradiol and prolactin increasing the chance of a natural pregnancy. Or if you require IVF due to structural problems, acupuncture will help to lower hormone levels to ensure a better success rate.

• Increase IVF success – In cases where couples require IVF, acupuncture before and throughout treatment has shown to increase the pregnancy rate in women undergoing IVF. 42%% of women who underwent IVF treatment and received acupuncture got pregnant, compared to only 26% of women who had IVF and no acupuncture. In another study, the pregnancy rates for women undergoing IVF and acupuncture were as high as 51% compared to 36% of women who had IVF alone. Acupuncture also reduces the risk of miscarriage, only 8% miscarried compared to 20%.