TCM, Acupuncture for Infertility

The popularity of using acupuncture to treat infertility is growing in the West, particularly as scientific studies demonstrate it's efficacy.

What is Acupuncture, and can it be used to treat infertility?

Acupuncture, a therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is an ancient chinese medical practice used to promote health and restore natural internal balance through stimulation of specific points on the body.

As early as 3,000 years ago, doctors of TCM discussed the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive disorders and infertility - for both men and women. Historically, the Chinese have placed great emphasis on family, and so the best minds in TCM were usually sought out to help those struggling with infertility. These ancient physicians would use the knowledge gleaned from thousands of years of Taoist Rejuvenation Practices such as Qi Qong and Tai Qi, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, and lifestyle and dietary counseling to restore the natural state of internal harmony that results in fertility and conception.

How is acupuncture used to treat infertility?

Recent scientific studies support the utlization of acupuncture, and chinese herbal medicine, as a treatment for infertility, and other reproductive disorders. This growing body of evidence demonstrates that acupuncture, and other TCM protocols, can improve fertility rates by enhancing the following physiological processes related to fertility:

• Improves the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs.
• Regulates hormones to produce larger numbers of follicles.
• Increases blood flow to the Uterus and Ovaries thereby increasing both Ovarian Sensitivity to gonadtropins and the Uterine Lining for implantation.
• Relaxes the patient to induce parasympathetic nervous system dominance.
• Helps to lessen many of the unwanted side-effects of ART treatment.
• Mitigates the downstream effects of IVF stimulation in the uterine environment to enhance implantation and ongoing pregnancy rates.
• Decreases miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates.
• Improves semen densities in male factor infertility
• Enhances conception in ART cycles: IUI, IVF, FET, Surrogacy.
• Promotes a healthy ongoing pregnancy without complications, and a healthy post-partum period.

East meets West

At Westlake Complementary Medicine, we combine evidence-based research protocols, western medical diagnostics, acupuncture - and the accumulated knowledge of nearly 3000 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine - to bring the best of both worlds to help our patients fulfill their dream of starting a family.