Acupuncture is highly recommended to be used as a complementary therapy for people trying to conceive, either naturally or with fertility treatments such as IVF.

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Who should receive acupuncture:

● Natural fertility: if you are just starting your fertility journey, acupuncture can assist with bringing blood flow to the uterus, regulating hormones and calming the nervous system. For males, it can enhance sperm motility and quality.
● IVF and assisted reproduction: like natural conception, the body must be in a healthy condition to receive the IVF treatment, and therefore acupuncture can help to calm the mind, relax nervous system, regulate the menstrual cycle, shed the lining of uterus and supply blood flow for an optimal transfer of embryo
● Conditions such as PCOS/PMOS: studies suggest acupuncture may help regulate menstrual cycles or reduce symptoms, optimizing fertilization

Potential benefits of Acupuncture

​Acupuncture works with your body to optimize fertility. It can also, 
● Reduce stress and anxiety
● Improve relaxation and sleep
● Help manage chronic pelvic pain or menstrual discomfort
● Support overall well-being during fertility treatment

When it may be worth considering

You might consider acupuncture if:

• You're undergoing IVF and want additional support for stress management.
• You have painful periods, pelvic pain, or conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)

Researchers have proposed several ways acupuncture might affect fertility:

1. Influence on stress and the nervous system
○ Acupuncture may promote relaxation and reduce perceived stress.
○ Chronic stress can affect hormones involved in reproduction, so some researchers hypothesize that reducing stress could indirectly support fertility.

2. Effects on reproductive hormones
○ Some studies suggest acupuncture may influence the release of hormones through the brain's hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
○ This could potentially affect ovulation and menstrual cycle regulation, though the exact mechanisms remain uncertain.

3. Changes in blood flow
○ Researchers have proposed that acupuncture may increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
○ The theory is that improved blood flow could support the uterine lining or ovarian function

4. Management of fertility-related conditions
○ Acupuncture has been studied as a complementary therapy for conditions associated with infertility, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS  and Endometriosis.
○ Some people report improvements in symptoms
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5. Support during assisted reproductive technologies
○ Acupuncture is often used around IUI or IVF cycles.
○ Acupuncture might improve implantation rates or pregnancy rates
○ Acupuncture may increase sperm motility and quality

On your journey and needing some guidance? Book today with Tammy at Dalhousie Health & Wellness!