If you’re trying to conceive, acupuncture can be a helpful tool. Getting a few treatment sessions under your belt before heading to IVF treatment, or staring a new IVF cycle may also help boost your chances of conceiving. But when is the best time in your cycle to get acupuncture for fertility? Here’s what you need to know.
If you are trying to conceive, acupuncture can help increase your chances of getting pregnant
Acupuncture is a great alternative fertility treatment that can help you increase your chances of getting pregnant. It works by preparing the body and increasing fertility – this helps to physically prepare it for conception by improving ovarian function, regulating hormones and stimulating ovulation, which boosts your fertility.
Acupuncture can be an effective fertility aid as it uses needles to manipulate specific points, helping to balance and restore the body’s fertility energy known as ‘qi’.
During treatment sessions, practitioners are able to target a range of areas such as our reproductive organs, endocrine system and nervous system – all of which play an important role in fertility.
Results from acupuncture will vary from person to person but many women have found it helpful on their journeys to pregnancy!
When is the best time to get acupuncture for fertility?
The best time to get acupuncture for fertility is during the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle.
The follicular phase is part of your menstrual cycle. It happens right before ovulation and helps boost your fertility. Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary so it can be fertilized.
Acupuncture sessions during the follicular phase can help your body maintain a balance and promote fertility. Some practitioners recommend starting acupuncture treatments before you start trying to conceive or when you are in the first trimester of pregnancy.
The phases of your menstrual cycle are important to understand when considering getting acupuncture for fertility. The follicular phase is the beginning of the cycle, which typically begins on the first day of your period. During this phase, a follicle develops in preparation to release an egg once it matures during ovulation.
So, the best time to get acupuncture for fertility is during this follicular phase since it has been shown to help regulate hormones related to ovulation and other essential activities involved in conception.
The follicular phase usually lasts for about 14 days at the start of your menstrual cycle before transitioning into the ovulation phase.
Learn more about your fertility cycle in another post we have.
If you aim to get acupuncture for fertility, setting an appointment around day 14 can yield optimal results.
Acupuncture can help to regulate your hormones and improve uterine blood flow
Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of traditional Chinese medicine that can provide many health benefits. It has been shown to help regulate hormone levels associated with reproductive health and improve blood circulation and flow to the uterus.
Depending on your individual case, you can use acupuncture to target hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. Estrogen and progesterone are important for hormonal balance in the body, while luteinizing hormones and follicle-stimulating hormones play an important role in fertility.
With the help of a licensed acupuncturist, you can focus specifically on these hormones and regulating stress hormones to help find the right balance needed to restore your reproductive health, help with egg quality if possible, and other things.
It is important to find a qualified acupuncturist who has experience treating fertility issues
When selecting an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility issues, it is important to be prepared and ask questions that are specific to your needs. Start by researching options in your area and then make a list of questions for each prospective acupuncturist.
Find out about their credentials such as their educational background and any specialized training related to fertility health. Make sure you enquire about the length of time they have been treating fertility issues, which can often be very helpful in choosing a provider.
Additionally, ask how often acupuncture treatment will be administered and figure out if there is any evidence-based research that supports their treatments. Finally, ask if the acupuncturist will be able to provide referrals from previous or current fertility clients.
By equipping yourself with the right questions you can select the best acupuncturist who has experience with treating fertility issues.
Be sure to tell your acupuncturist about any medications you are taking, as well as any other health conditions you have
It is important to provide your acupuncturist with all of the information they need so they can safely and effectively treat you. Be sure to share any medications, especially fertility medications that you are taking, as well as any health conditions you have (like polycystic ovarian syndrome, poor egg quality, decreased ovarian reserve, etc) – even those not directly related to the issue that you’re seeking treatment for.
Knowing this information will help your practitioner develop an acupuncture plan that best fits your needs and helps maximize the results of your treatment sessions.
Also, let them know if you are seeing a fertility specialist as some providers will work hand in hand with your fertility provider to schedule your fertility acupuncture exactly when pot providers agree it should happen during your treatment cycles.
Acupuncture is generally considered safe, but it is always best to talk with your doctor before starting any new treatment
Acupuncture is a safe, natural, and popular treatment that many people turn to when they are looking to address physical or mental diagnoses. It has been practiced for centuries and is backed by an abundance of research regarding its effectiveness in relieving pain, anxiety and other illnesses.
While acupuncture is generally considered safe, it’s always best to discuss any new treatments with your doctor first. Your doctor can give you advice about if acupuncture is the right fit for you as well as what conditions could potentially be addressed with this type of therapy.
Additionally, your doctor can provide guidance on how to find qualified acupuncturists, so you know your wellbeing is in the hands of a reliable professional.
It’s important to note that acupuncture is not a replacement for traditional medical care. It should be used in conjunction with other treatment regimens prescribed by your doctor.
To get the most out of it, you should also follow a healthy lifestyle and learn stress-management techniques. With careful consideration of all these factors, acupuncture can be an effective part of your overall health and wellness plan.
In addition to the physical benefits, some believe that acupuncture can aid in emotional healing as well. While there is limited scientific evidence for this, many patients report improved moods and lesser feelings of anxiety after undergoing a course of acupuncture treatments.
Can acupuncture help male fertility?
Acupuncture can help improve male fertility by increasing sperm count, sperm quality, and motility, as well as reducing stress levels. Studies have shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the testes, which improves cell health within the testes and enhances sperm production.
Additionally, acupuncture has been found to reduce cortisol levels, which is a hormone responsible for causing stress.
So, acupuncture may be helpful in improving male fertility when used in combination with lifestyle changes and traditional medical treatment regimens prescribed by your doctor.
Does acupuncture cause uterine contractions?
No, acupuncture does not cause uterine contractions. In fact, research has shown that acupuncture can reduce the intensity and frequency of uterine contractions in women who are at risk of preterm labor.
However, it is recommended to discuss with your doctor before undergoing an acupuncture treatment.
Can acupuncture be used to treat anxiety?
Yes, acupuncture is known to be effective in treating anxiety and other psychological conditions. Studies have found that acupuncture can reduce cortisol levels, which are hormones associated with stress and anxiety.
Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to increase the production of serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate mood. Thus, acupuncture may be beneficial for managing symptoms related to anxiety and managing the anxiety that comes with fertility problems or undergoing fertility treatment whether it be a medicated assisted cycle, an IUI cycle, or an IVF cycle.
Should you get acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer?
The decision to undergo acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer is a personal one. Some studies have shown that acupuncture before and after embryo transfer may help improve rates of implantation, but more research is needed in this area.
If you do decide to pursue acupuncture, it should be done by a qualified professional who has experience with fertility treatments. Additionally, it is important to make sure your acupuncture session does not interfere with the embryo transfer procedure.
There are also some specific protocols for fertility-related acupuncture that may be beneficial, so it’s a good idea to discuss these options with your acupuncturist AND your fertility health specialist.
Ultimately, if you and your practitioner decide that acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer is something to add to your treatment plan, then best of luck to you! We hope it has a positive effect.
Does having an acupuncture session increase your risk of miscarriage?
The current research suggests that it does not, but if you have any concerns we recommend speaking with your acupuncturist and fertility health specialist. Additionally, it is a good idea to only use acupuncture products and equipment that are safe for use during the pregnancy process.
It is important to be aware of any potential risks associated with acupuncture and the use of needles on pregnant women. For example, using too many needles or using them in an incorrect way can increase the risks of infection or bruising.
We suggest discussing any concerns with your practitioner and to follow their instructions carefully.
Where do the acupuncture needles go for fertility acupuncture treatment?
The needles are inserted into specific points on the body as determined by your practitioner. Generally, these points are located around the lower abdomen and feet, but can also be found in other areas such as the arms, legs or back.
It is important to note that not all practitioners use the same acupuncture points for fertility treatments, so it’s best to ask your practitioner for specifics.
What can be expected during a fertility acupuncture session?
Generally, practitioners spend about 15 to 20 minutes on each side of the body with needles inserted at points determined by your practitioner. During this time, you should remain still and relaxed while allowing the needle(s) to do their work.
After the treatment session is complete, the needles are removed and a brief massage may be performed. It is recommended to rest after a fertility acupuncture session in order to allow your body time to adjust and integrate the effects of the treatment.
In addition to insertion of needles, some practitioners may use other techniques such as moxibustion (burning an herb that produces heat over an area of the body), cupping (suction cups on the skin to promote circulation) and electro-acupuncture (applying small electric current to needles).
It is important to discuss any techniques or questions that you may have with your practitioner before proceeding.After your first session, it is normal for practitioners to discuss the plans for future ones and they may have any suggestions for you to help increase your fertility health.
Just like your other health care providers, they may suggest to focus on optimal nutrition, lowering stress levels, and healthy amounts (not excessive) of physical activity.