Can acupuncture help with infertility?

Navigating the Complex Landscape of Infertility: A Comprehensive Overview

Infertility affects millions globally, defined as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. It is a complex, emotionally taxing experience.

Understanding Infertility:

Infertility affects both genders, caused by factors like ovulation issues, sperm quality, blockages, or uterine abnormalities. Age, stress, obesity, and medical conditions also contribute.

The Emotional Impact:

Infertility causes frustration, guilt, and sadness, worsened by societal pressure and stigma.

Available Treatments:

Reproductive medicine offers hope through treatments like:

Fertility Medications: Stimulate ovulation or improve sperm production.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): Includes IVF, combining eggs and sperm outside the body.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Direct sperm insertion into the uterus.

Surgery: Addresses structural issues.

Holistic Approaches:

Lifestyle changes like weight management and stress reduction, along with acupuncture, can enhance fertility.

How can acupuncture help female infertility? Research update

Acupuncture regulates reproductive hormones, improves ovarian function, and promotes embryo implantation, showing promise in treating female infertility.

Recent research has shown acupuncture helps with natural conception. A study with 2591 participants found acupuncture increased pregnancy and ovulation rates, improved hormone levels and endometrial thickness, and had fewer side effects compared to standard therapies.

References

Jing-yu Xu et al Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022; 2022: 3854117.

Yun L et al Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jul;98(29):e16463. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016463.​