If you're trying to conceive, most likely, you've had either a friend or doctor say "Hey, you should try acupuncture!" In the last decade, acupuncture has garnered increasing attention in the field of fertility enhancement. But, you might be wondering why? What does the research show? What are the benefits? Here are the top 10 benefits of acupuncture for fertility as suggested by scientific research!
1. **Improved Pregnancy Rates with IVF**: Acupuncture can increase the success rates of IVF treatments.
- Paulus, W. E., Zhang, M., Strehler, E., El-Danasouri, I., & Sterzik, K. (2002). Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. *Fertility and sterility*, 77(4), 721-724.
2. **Increased Blood Flow to the Uterus**: Enhanced blood circulation may result in a more favorable uterine lining for implantation.
- Stener-Victorin, E., Waldenström, U., Andersson, S. A., & Wikland, M. (1996). Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. *Human Reproduction*, 11(6), 1314-1317.
3. **Regulation of Hormone Levels**: Acupuncture may help modulate hormone levels crucial for reproduction.
- Chen, B. Y. (1997). Acupuncture normalizes dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. *Acupuncture & electro-therapeutics research*, 22(2), 97-108.
4. **Stress Reduction**: Acupuncture can reduce stress, which is believed to enhance fertility.
- Magarelli, P. C., Dindinger, M., & Magon, R. (2009). Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment. *Fertility and Sterility*, 92(6), 1870-1879.
5. **Improved Sperm Quality**: Men may experience improvements in sperm motility and morphology.
- Siterman, S., Eltes, F., Wolfson, V., Zabludovsky, N., & Bartoov, B. (1997). Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality. *Archives of Andrology*, 39(2), 155-161.
6. **Mitigation of Pelvic and Abdominal Pain**: Helps in cases where pain might be a factor for infertility.
- Jang, D. H., Lee, M. S., Shin, B. C., Lee, Y. C., & Ernst, E. (2010). Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review. *British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology*, 70(5), 629-634.
7. **Regulation of Menstrual Cycle**: Acupuncture may help in regulating irregular menstrual cycles.
- Stener-Victorin, E., Waldenström, U., Tägnfors, U., Lundeberg, T., Lindstedt, G., & Janson, P. O. (2000). Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. *Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica*, 79(3), 180-188.
8. **Enhanced Ovulation**: Acupuncture can assist women experiencing ovulation problems.
- Johansson, J., Redman, L., Veldhuis, P. P., Sazonova, A., Labrie, F., Holm, G., ... & Stener-Victorin, E. (2013). Acupuncture for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. *American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism*, 304(9), E934-E943.
9. **Reduction of Miscarriage Rates**: Acupuncture might help in reducing miscarriage rates when used alongside fertility treatments.
- Isoyama, D., Cordts, E. B., de Souza van Niewegen, A. M., de Almeida Pereira de Carvalho, W., Matsumura, S. T., & Barbosa, C. P. (2012). Effect of acupuncture on symptoms of anxiety in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a prospective randomised controlled study. *Acupuncture in Medicine*, 30(2), 85-88.
10. **Support during IVF Cycles**: Acupuncture can alleviate the side effects of medications used during IVF cycles.
- Smith, C., Coyle, M., & Norman, R. J. (2006). Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer. *Fertility and sterility*, 85(5), 1352-1358.
Please note: The efficacy and experience of acupuncture can vary between individuals. Always consult with healthcare professionals when considering acupuncture or any other treatments related to fertility.
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