FERTILITY & IVF
Successful conception begins with healthy menstrual cycles, and healthy cycles are preceded by vibrant bodies. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or with Assisted Reproductive Technologies such as IUI/IVF, we begin by painting a clear picture of your entire health. Our bodies are interconnected andnothing functions in isolation. As such, treating emotional, digestive, thyroid and other imbalances are integral parts of your fertility treatment.
To increase your chances of conception, our treatments focus on improving the quality of your egg cells and reproductive environment. We achieve this by improving blood circulation to the reproductive organs and balancing hormones that affect fertility.
Acupuncture may be able to assist fertility through the following mechanisms:
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Regulate the body’s hormones that impact ovulation, the menstrual cycle, and conception
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Increase blood flow to the uterus to encourage proper endometrial lining growth and adequate nutrition for the uterus
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Reduce emotional fatigue and stress – often found to be factors that inhibit conception
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Improve thyroid health when thyroid imbalances seem to be contributing to difficult conception
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Regulate the chronic inflammation associated with certain autoimmune conditions that hinder fertility
Acupuncture may treat the following fertility related conditions:
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Unexplained infertility
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Recurring miscarriages
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Diminished ovarian reserve
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Uterine fibroids
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PCOS
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Endometriosis
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Luteal phase defect
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Poor egg quality
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Annovulation
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Male factor infertility
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Autoimmune related infertility
Acupuncture and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
A number of studies are showing that IVF performed in conjunction with acupuncture may yield better results. A 2002 landmark study (Paulus study) performed in Germany compared pregnancy rates in women who underwent IVF with acupuncture before & after the embryo transfer to women who just did the IVF. The study found that the group of women who received acupuncture had statistically significant higher pregnancy rates (42.5% vs 26.3%). Acupuncture is thought to benefit the IVF process by lowering anxiety/stress and improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus. At our clinic, patients receive weekly acupuncture leading up to their IVF procedure as well as a day-of-transfer treatment to help optimize the success of their IVF cycle.
