Shady Grove Acupuncture

 

Infertility and Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on the body, which reside on channels or meridians; these are pathways in both the exterior and interior of the body. These points, when needled, can regulate the way in which the body functions. Acupuncture helps by addressing problems that affect fertility such as under-functioning (hypothyroidism) or over-functioning (hyperthyroidism).

 

Can acupuncture be used to treat infertility?

Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some causes of infertility. For example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address tubal adhesions, which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. However, in this situation, an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect of improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

 

When should acupuncture treatment begin?

Acupuncture is similar to physical therapy in that it is a process-oriented method of medical intervention. It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) or donor-egg transfer. This period of treatment seems to have a therapeutic effect. In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Center, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medical interventions. However, conception does sometimes occur when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions. 

When should I stop getting acupuncture?

Typically most miscarriages occur within the first three months (week 5 through week 9) of pregnancy. Therefore, treatment of patients may often last through week twelve to help prevent miscarriage, spotting and morning sickness. 

 

What are the risks of using acupuncture?

 

There are minimal risks when using acupuncture for fertility treatment. A risk of miscarriage may develop if incorrect acupuncture points are used when a woman is pregnant. This is one reason why those wishing to include acupuncture in their treatment regimen should only be treated by an acupuncturist who specializes in treating fertility disorders. Acupuncture is not contraindicated for anyone regardless of their pathology or what medications they are taking. 

  

What types of fertility Patients typically get acupuncture?

 

Women who receive acupuncture during the stimulation phase of an in vitro fertilization cycle and again immediately after embryo transfer have a higher live-birth rate.

• Endometriosis
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Low sperm count
• High FSH
• Poor egg quality
• Low ovarian reserve
• Advanced maternal age
• Sperm DNA fragmentation
• Immunological causes of infertility
• Implantation failure
• Other common causes of infertility
• Recurrent miscarriage

Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes. (Spasmed tubes are often de-spasmed with acupuncture, though blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture). Acupuncture is often combined with herbs to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with annovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.

 

Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Acupuncture can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support that acupuncture is highly effective at treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy including morning sickness, heartburn, insomnia, water retention and sciatica.

Here is a list of some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy:

 Nausea and Vomiting
 Heartburn
 Constipation
 Hemorrhoids
 Edema and Swelling
 Urinary Tract Infection
 Pelvic Pain
 Neck and Back Pain
 Sciatica
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 Leg Cramps
 Fatigue and Exhaustion
 Insomnia
 Anxiety and Depression

Acupuncture Postpartum

Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture can help the transition of those first few months after birth to ensure a quick recovery. Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging breast feeding.

Here are some of the postpartum disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:

 Fatigue 
 Post-Partum Depression
 Mastitis
 Insufficient or Excessive Lactation
 Post Operative Healing
 Night Sweats

Depression during Pregnancy

Depression is, unfortunately, as common during pregnancy as it is during other periods of our life. Treating depression during pregnancy is important because when not treated, depression during pregnancy increases the risks for:

• decreased appetite and poorer weight gain during pregnancy
• inconsolability and excessive crying of newborns
• delivering infants of low birth weight
• Post-partum depression (which has been linked to disturbance in behavioral and cognitive development of the infant).

Why study alternative treatments during pregnancy?

Many women are reluctant to take antidepressant medications during pregnancy and have limited access to psychotherapy. Pilot research indicates that the treatments provided in this study might be helpful for reducing depressive symptoms.

What are symptoms of the depressions?

• feeling sad, unhappy, empty, or helpless
• trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• low energy, fatigue, lack of motivation
• eating too little or too much
• enjoying activities less than usual
• difficulty concentrating
• thinking a lot about death
• Feeling worthless or guilty. 

 

http://psychiatry.stanford.edu/research/acumass.html

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm