Acupuncture is a wonderful, natural way to help prepare the body for pregnancy.  Receiving regular acupuncture treatments prior to pregnancy can help increase the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries thereby improving egg quality and creating a healthy uterine lining for implantation to take place.  Chinese medicine can also help regulate the menstrual cycle which makes it easier to predict your fertile period and increasing the chances of conception taking place. 

There are a number of other benefits of receiving acupuncture to prepare for pregnancy including:

• Improving cervical mucus quality
• Regulating hormones
• Improving sleep & reducing fatigue
• Reducing stress, regulating mood & promoting relaxation
• Strengthening the digestion & immune system

Acupuncture is most effective at preparing the body for pregnancy when it is received once per week for at least 3 months prior to trying to conceive.  Women who are taking birth control pills or other hormone-based birth control may require a longer treatment duration prior to attempting conception. 

If you have been diagnosed with infertility acupuncture can be used in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, Western fertility treatments.  Acupuncture has little to no side effects and has been proven successful in the treatment of a number of female fertility issues including:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Endometriosis
• Luteal Phase Defect (LPD)
• Ovulatory dysfunction
• Polycystic ovaries (PCOS)
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Uterine fibroids
• Unexplained infertility
• Blocked fallopian tubes
• Advanced maternal age

Chinese medicine is also effective in the treatment of the following male fertility issues:

• Low sperm count
• Low sperm mobility
• Poor sperm morphology
• Premature ejaculation

A study published in 2002 shows that acupuncture administered in conjunction with IVF increased pregnancy success rates by 15%.  Acupuncture is being used in a growing number of fertility clinics across the U.S. with great results. 

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with the following reproductive procedures:

• Improves the success rates of IVF and artificial insemination
• Promotes recovery from egg-retrieval surgery
• Reduces the chance of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
• Reduces the undesirable side effects of fertility medications

Acupuncture is most effective at increasing the success of IVF or artificial insemination when you receive it once per week for at least 3 months prior to the procedure.  During the suppression and stimulation phases of IVF it is most beneficial to receive acupuncture twice per week to help reduce the side effects of the medications and decrease the chances of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.