Ask Marilyn: Can acupuncture boost fertility
Q: Can acupuncture boost fertility?
A: The treatment of infertility with acupuncture dates back thousands of years and several studies suggest that this ancient therapy can improve fertility rates and support a woman’s whole body, unlocking unlimited potential for health, healing and childbearing. For instance, a landmark study published in the respected medical journal Fertility & Sterility found that acupuncture dramatically improves the chances of becoming pregnant when used in conjunction with other assisted reproductive techniques.
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical Centre in New York reviewed studies and concluded that acupuncture helps to:
- Increase blood flow to the womb, which improves the chances of an egg implanting in the womb lining
- Reduce anxiety, stress, and the hormones that are secreted during stressful situations that can significantly decrease fertility
- Normalise hormones that regulate ovulation, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
- Positively affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which plays a key role in fertility
- Regulate menstrual cycles
In my opinion, acupuncture provides a safe, effective, drug-free, and natural approach to treating infertility and enjoying a healthy pregnancy. However, if you are having problems getting pregnant I would not recommend it as your only option; especially if you are over the age of 35. In my experience acupuncture works best alongside an integrated approach to fertility including nutrition and conventional medical investigations.