Acupuncture for fertility is a safe and natural treatment for those seeking to conceive. For both partners, acupuncture provides an opportunity to bring balance to the body allowing for healthier reproductive function. It helps to regulate hormones, improve ovulation and egg quality in women, and improve sperm production, motility, and count in men. People can use acupuncture to conceive naturally or in conjunction with assisted reproductive therapies such as IUI or IVF.
Based on an ancient medical tradition, Acupuncture and herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years to keep women fertile and men virile. It is believed that during ancient Chinese times the emperors kept acupuncturists in their court to ensure that the empresses and concubines were fruitful and multiplied!
For women, infertility may be caused by hormone imbalance, endometriosis, PCOS, anovulation, advanced maternal age or external factors such as diet, exposure to harmful environmental toxins, stress, insomnia, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse.
Meanwhile in men, this condition may stem from low sperm count and hormonal imbalance as well as environmental stress or unhealthy lifestyle.
Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine can help to increase the chances of conceiving and birthing a healthy baby. The uniqueness is in individualizing treatments based on what each person needs and identifying what their imbalances are rather than a one size fits all method.
During the first consultation, a detailed history is taken. All pertinent lab & imaging testing results as well as previous medical records are carefully reviewed. Specific questions about diet and digestion, lifestyle, sleep patterns, pain, menses, trauma, family medical history, surgeries and past illnesses are asked and a individual diagnosis is formulated to create a treatment plan.
The first visit usually includes an acupuncture treatment and recommendation of supplements and/or herbal medicines. This visit lasts about 90 minutes. Follow up treatments are about 60 minutes and include acupuncture treatment and modifications to herbal medicines or supplements as needed. During these visits, progress is noted and treatment plans may be adjusted as changes take place.
The adage, “nourish the soil before planting the seed” couldn’t be more true than in fertility acupuncture. Preconception care, that is, using the three months prior to trying to conceive in order for both parents to be in their best health possible is optimal.
When already using assisted reproductive therapies such as IUI or IVF, the luxury of three months is not always possible. In these cases, we work with the patients’ timeline to create the best possible outcome. For those in IVF treatment, we are available to be onsite at the surgicenter on the day of transfer for acupuncture before and after embryo transfer. Studies have shown a dramatic increase in pregnancy and healthy babies when using acupuncture during transfers!
We specialize in fertility acupuncture diagnosis and treatments at Woodland Hills Acupuncture Wellness Center and treat both men and women by creating personalized plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs. We are board certified by ABORM (American and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine), a distinction that sets us apart from general acupuncturists.
Whether you’re just starting to explore options to optimize fertility or you are already working with a Reproductive Endocrinologist, our acupuncturists can help you through your journey to have a more successful outcome.
We are here for you! Feel free to contact us for a complimentary 20 minute consultation.