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Can acupuncture really improve fertility? Studies have shown promising results that suggest that the ancient Chinese treatment may improve both female and male fertility. It is suggested that acupuncture may also significantly help couples that are going through in-vitro fertilization treatments.
Acupuncture originated in ancient China as an alternative medicinal treatment that uses needles to manipulate acupuncture points throughout the body to restore energy and overall health. Scientific research has found that acupuncture continues to relieve various types of pain and post-op nausea. Controversy has acupuncture surrounded in today’s Western world, as many health practitioners refuse to endorse the treatment saying that it doesn’t really work. That being said, many recent studies have suggested that acupuncture, if administered safely and correctly, can offer a wealth of health benefits, including those related to fertility.
A German study conducted in 2002 found that, among a group of 160 women undergoing IVF treatment, 42% of them who received the treatment got pregnant (26% of them did not). Some researchers have suggested that acupuncture can provide embryos with an increased success rate of implantation as acupuncture treatment can help uterine muscle tissues relax and increase blood flow to the uterus itself. Apparently, there is no conclusive evidence to support without any sort of doubt that acupuncture can increase your chances of conceiving. Regardless, many women who have had fertility issues (some were receiving IVF treatments and some were not) have been successful in conceiving children after seeking acupuncture treatment. How big of an influence acupuncture had on these particular situations remains unknown. But again, if administered correctly and safely, acupuncture poses no major adverse effects. Keep in mind that acupuncture is also known for its ability to relieve stress – a major contributing factor to many health issues, including infertility. Many women have found acupuncture to relieve their frustrations and stress levels associated with trying to conceive. For these reasons, you may find that seeking out acupuncture to potentially improve your fertility may be worthwhile.
In regards to male fertility, studies have recently shown acupuncture to improve the quality and health of sperm. It is suggested that, with regular acupuncture treatments, men can increase their sperm counts and sperm motility significantly. A study conducted in 2005 and published in Fertility and Sterility found a strong correlation between acupuncture treatment and sperm with fewer structural defects, as well as significant, healthy increases in sperm count.
