Acupuncture in fertility treatment: how to support your fertility naturally

The studies confirm that stress, which is omnipresent today, may be one of the factors that negatively affect fertility. While modern medicine continues to evolve, sometimes we must look beyond conventional treatments. Something that can help alleviate the stress we experience. Acupuncture – an ancient Chinese healing technique – is also gaining appreciation in modern medicine as an additional support in the fertility treatment process. How does it work on the organism? Can it really increase your chances of getting pregnant? Discover how small punctures can bring significant changes in the battle against one of the greatest challenges faced by modern couples.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse (3–4 times per week).

According to data, this distressing issue affects 1.5 million couples of reproductive age in Poland, accounting for 15–20% of the population. The average age of a woman getting pregnant for the first time in our country is 29 years old.

Chronic nervous tension is among the most common causes of infertility. Scientific studies have confirmed that under stress there is a rise of cortisol (the so-called stress hormone), which blocks the secretion of testosterone, the key male hormone responsible for fertility.

• Endocrine disorders with dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, resulting in ovulation disorders.
• Anatomical abnormalities: uterine malformations, obstruction of the fallopian tubes, post-inflammatory and post-operative scars.
• Diseases that make it difficult to get pregnant: endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Decline in ovarian reserve with age.
• Chronic stress compounded by further unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant.

• Testicular diseases, including tumours, varicocele, cryptorchidism, etc.
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, hypopituitarism, chronic kidney disease, liver disease.
• Poor semen quality, consisting of low numbers of healthy sperm or low sperm motility.
• Decreased testosterone production due to stress.

Acupuncture helps restore and regulate hormonal balance. It supports the regularity of menstrual cycles and ovulation, promotes the healthy development of Graafian follicles, and improves the condition of the endometrium.

Furthermore, these treatments facilitate blood flow through the organs, causing them to be better nourished and oxygenated. Acupuncture positively influences the quantity and quality of ova in women, while enhancing sperm count, concentration, motility, and vitality in men.

Improved blood supply to the uterus has also been shown to increase the implantation rate of embryos and their subsequent normal development.

Considering the regulatory effects of acupuncture – as early as possible! By putting the body into a deep state of relaxation, taking it out of fight and flight mode and stimulating blood flow to the internal organs – we increase the chances of developing healthy ova and sperm.

It takes approximately 150 days for an ovum to mature and be released, whereas sperm development occurs over a period of about three months.

Acupuncture should be used at the following stages:

• in the follicular phase, i.e. on days 5-8 of the cycle,
• on the day of ovulation, the day before or the day after (according to the rise in the LH index),
• during the implantation period (day 6-10 after ovulation),
• e. once a week, outside the menstrual period.

In the case of an assisted reproduction procedure, such as IVF, it is advisable to start acupuncture treatments 6-8 weeks before transfer. Once stimulation has started, the frequency of treatments is determined by the ultrasound image.

While not a panacea, acupuncture can serve as a valuable complement to infertility treatments. Combining the benefits of natural therapies with modern treatments can significantly enhance the chances of achieving the dream of parenthood. By allowing your body to restore its natural balance and harmony, you open yourself to new possibilities – each a potential step toward creating new life. Therefore, if you are struggling with infertility, why not add acupuncture to your plan of action?