But what happens when it comes time to conceive and it just doesn’t happen? Infertility is generally defined as a failure to conceive after trying for a full calendar year.
This requires a lot of very specific processes within our bodies to line up perfectly. The inability to successfully complete this process and get the desired result on a pregnancy test can leave people feeling incomplete.
There is an entire industry devoted to treating this. There is a long list of prescribed medications all the way up to in vitro fertilization (IVF) available to people combating infertility.
However, many people either don’t have the necessary funds to afford these expensive treatments, or don’t want to explore unnatural means of achieving a pregnancy.
So what other options are available?
Acupuncture has been used to treat fertility issues for a very long time. But does it work?
Impact of Acupuncture on Fertility
There are a variety of reasons a couple might be unable to conceive. It could be everything from a hormonal imbalance to physical damage of the areas of the body that support pregnancy. Acupuncture has been shown to be very beneficial to supporting a hospitable environment for a pregnancy.
However, there are limitations to this. Acupuncture will not be able to fix physical damage to certain areas of the body — scarred ovaries, for instance.
These situations are frequently unable to be helped with any other form of fertility treatments, as well.
Acupuncture can be very beneficial to others having trouble conceiving due to factors outside of physical damage.
Tel Aviv University’s medical school conducted a test combining acupuncture and intrauterine insemination (IUI):
“When combining IUI with TCM treatments, 65.5 percent of the test group was able to conceive, compared with 39.4% of the control group, who received no herbal or acupuncture therapy. In the test group, 41.4% delivered healthy babies, compared with 26.9% of the control group.”
Acupuncture has shown the capacity of providing a list of benefits to couples throughout the pregnancy process. Initial conception is assisted (with or without the extra help of IUI as featured in the previously-mentioned study). Nausea and other physical discomfort during the pregnancy can be reduced. Acupuncture also has the ability to induce contractions in pregnancies that have lasted beyond their initial due date.
Visit Affinity Acupuncture for help with fertility issues in the Nashville, TN area today!
How Does it Help?
Reduces Stress
Stress in both the male and the female can have negative effects on their ability to conceive. Acupuncture has been used for centuries to help lower levels of stress. This capability can put both individuals in a better place to procreate.
Feelings of stress and depression are experienced by both individuals that find themselves unable to conceive, which only makes the problem worse. Acupuncture has been shown to have a positive impact on these conditions.
Cortisol is the hormone released when the body is experiencing stress. This has been shown to increase the risk of a pregnant woman having a miscarriage. The ability to mitigate this stress will not only help a couple to become pregnant, it can also help the pregnancy remain healthy as time goes on.
Increases Blood Flow
Proper and unimpeded blood flow is important for both the male and the female when trying to conceive. First, the male needs proper blood flow to his reproductive organs to properly perform the necessary bodily functions. Second, the woman’s reproductive organs also need strong blood flow in order to facilitate the conception.
Correctly-placed acupuncture needles can spur blood flow in areas of the body which can assist conception.
This advantage of acupuncture is beneficial in all patients, but it can directly assist couples seeking acupuncture for fertility issues.
Balances Hormones
“The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things.”
Acupuncture can directly affect the success of the endocrine system through targeting specific meridians within the body. This creates a healthy balance of released hormones which can have a positive impact on the ability to conceive.
Where Can You Find Acupuncture for Fertility in Nashville, TN?
Acupuncture for fertility issues is a specialized practice. Luckily for people in Nashville and the surrounding middle Tennessee area, Affinity Acupuncture has experience treating fertility issues along with other women’s health issues.
Acupuncture can address a variety of women’s health issues including:
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Female urethral syndrome
- Hypo-ovarianism
- And much more
Contact Affinity Acupuncture today for Nashville Acupuncture treatments and appointments!
