Why acupuncture works for infertility problems is still
debatable. However, most practicing acupuncturists say
that acupuncture helps by regulating your body’s
system. This aids in blood flow to the reproductive
organs and stabilizes hormone levels. This in turn will
increase ovarian function in women as well as sperm
production in men.
Used as a complementary form of therapy for women undergoing
other fertility treatments, acupuncture has been proven
to be especially beneficial. Some believe that acupuncture
works by helping women stay more relaxed through stressful
fertility treatments. In particular, studies have shown
that acupuncture definitely increases the rate of pregnancy
in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A German study done in 2002 showed that of the 80 women
who underwent IVF and received acupuncture, 34 women
got pregnant, a success rate of 42.5%. Of the 80 women
involved in the study who received IVF without any acupuncture
treatments, only 21 women (26.3%) became pregnant. More
recently, an American study involving 114 women showed
that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and IVF treatments
became pregnant versus only 36% of the women who had
IVF alone. Deeper analysis of this study revealed that,
while 8% of the women in the acupuncture group miscarried,
the rate of miscarriage in the IVF-only group was 20%.
Furthermore, women who received acupuncture also had
lower rates of ectopic pregnancies.
About Lisa Ma |
