Infertility and acupuncture: Does one really help the other?

A diagnosis of infertility may have you going through a gauntlet of emotions. You may not know where to turn. Your journey may eventually lead you to a fertility specialist. Infertility is an emotional and traumatic experience. You are not alone on this path. 

Just because you are dealing with infertility doesn’t mean you won’t grow your family. There are many options and treatments available. While you are going through your infertility journey, you may try a variety of treatments, including acupuncture.

What is infertility?

Infertility is trying to conceive without success for 12 months or more. Infertility in women under the age of 35 is considered after 12 months and women aged 35 or older after six months of unsuccessful conception. In fact, 1 in 7 couples experience infertility, specifically 9% of men and 11% of women in the United States. Infertility can be a devastating diagnosis, but shouldn’t cause you to lose hope of one day growing your family. 

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a technique where certified practitioners insert fine needles into the skin at different points of the body to treat certain health conditions. In the United States, it is most frequently used for pain. Acupuncture can also be used to help treat infertility. It may help provide some benefits for those dealing with infertility. 

Does acupuncture work for infertility?

Acupuncture can be a proactive approach to fertility. With or without facing infertility, the decision to grow your family can be stressful. The good news is acupuncture can be considered a successful treatment for boosting fertility. It can improve sperm quality and ovarian function, and help balance the endocrine system and hormones.

How can acupuncture benefit people with infertility issues?

The body is affected by blood flow and hormones, including the reproductive systems. To help potentially boost fertility, the body’s whole health needs to be in balance. While some medical treatments include the stimulation of hormone production, acupuncture can work by naturally supporting systems. 

Acupuncture assists in having the body relax. This relaxing state helps lower cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn helps lower stress. It also helps increase blood flow and regulate sex hormones. 

Conditions affecting fertility that acupuncture can help treat

Acupuncture can help increase blood flow and reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help other conditions that can affect infertility:

• Endometriosis — Acupuncture can help relieve the pain experienced from endometriosis. It may also help prevent endometrial tissue growth.

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — Acupuncture can help regulate hormone levels, promote ovulation and lower insulin resistance, which can all be complications from PCOS. 

• Low sperm count — Acupuncture has been used to help treat elevated scrotal temperature, which can lead to a reduced sperm count. It can also help boost sperm structure and motility. 

• Thyroid conditions — Thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect fertility. Acupuncture has been used to treat thyroid conditions. It can help balance hormones by increasing levels for hypothyroidism or lowering levels for hyperthyroidism.

• Stress levels — Stress can have a physical impact on the body. The pituitary gland controls several hormones. Some of the hormones tell eggs when to grow and ovulate.

Acupuncture may also help with other conditions of infertility such as repeated pregnancy loss, luteal phase defects and fibroids. If the woman uses medical methods such as contraceptives for controlling her menstrual cycle and cycle pain, acupuncture may also help those issues when use of medications is ceased for attempting conception. 

When to try acupuncture for infertility

You can have a proactive approach on your infertility journey and try acupuncture before seeking out a fertility specialist. You may be able to conceive without any further interventions. You should still give any acupuncture treatments time so your body can adjust to them. 

When you begin your acupuncture treatments, you should plan on attending a 30-minute to one-hour session to start. After the first session, you may have further sessions one to three times a week with needles inserted for 20 to 40 minutes at a time.

If using acupuncture in conjunction with other interventions, you should plan on beginning acupuncture at least three months before your planned intervention. These interventions include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) or donor egg transfers.

Continuing acupuncture after successful conception typically has minimal risks. However, there is a small risk of miscarriage if acupuncture is done improperly or used in the abdominopelvic area. 

When is it time to see an infertility specialist?

Acupuncture can be used before or after seeking the help of a fertility specialist. If you have been trying to conceive and are still unsuccessful, it may be time to see a specialist. It is beneficial if both partners see the infertility specialist. Male infertility leads to difficulty getting pregnant in about 30% of couples. Ovulatory defects in women cause approximately 40% of infertility issues of couples. 

A fertility specialist can help determine the cause of your infertility and create the path that can help you start your family. 

Fertility Cloud is ready to help you in your conception journey

An infertility diagnosis doesn’t have to be a dead end, only a roadblock on your conception journey. Our team at Fertility Cloud has firsthand experience with the stress and uncertainty of dealing with infertility. 

Fertility Cloud offers innovative telehealth care supported by our team of reproductive specialists. Our at-home care offers, on your schedule, video appointments and home testing abilities. 

Our goal is to help you achieve your dream of growing your family and to provide you with the individualized care you deserve.

Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.

Introduction

Infertility is an exasperating diagnosis. Having idiopathic infertility takes a difficult issue and makes it even more complicated. You may find comfort in the fact you are not alone in this struggle. In fact, 1 in 7 couples experience infertility. Better news: A diagnosis of infertility leads to treatment and the likelihood of a successful treatment increases to 50%. 

What is idiopathic infertility?

Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after 12 months or longer of unprotected sex or six months or more if you are a woman aged 35 or older. Idiopathic infertility has no diagnosed cause. It is also known as unexplained or undiagnosed infertility. Sometimes further in-depth testing can reveal an underlying cause of infertility. 

How common is idiopathic infertility?

In the United States, 9% of men and 11% of women experience infertility. Of those diagnosed with infertility, around 30% suffer from undiagnosed infertility.

An idiopathic infertility diagnosis is both good and bad news. The good news is there is nothing clearly causing your fertility issues. The bad news, there’s nothing clearly causing your fertility issues. Receiving an infertility diagnosis, however, doesn’t mean that you won’t conceive successfully. 

Pregnancy development is dependent on numerous molecular and biochemical events happening perfectly. Standard fertility tests don’t cover all aspects of conception, which can lead to a missed cause of infertility. Each case of infertility is as unique as the person experiencing the complication. 

What can cause the unknown?

If idiopathic infertility has no known cause, how can we know what actually causes it? Undiagnosed infertility is potentially only undiagnosed because of the current limitations of medical science. Also, you may have a fertility issue that is just more difficult to diagnose for some reason. There is still so much we don’t understand about the workings of the body. The inability to find a cause of infertility does not mean there is not an underlying cause. A few of the issues that could be causing your infertility and may be harder to diagnose include: 

• Egg quality — A woman is born with all the eggs her body will ever produce. As she ages, the quality of the eggs decreases. This can lead to fertility issues. 

• Sperm damage — In men, sperm damage could lower the chances of successful conception.

• Endometriosis — Some women who have endometriosis have very mild cases and their only symptom is infertility. If mild endometriosis is the issue, intervention may improve fertility chances. 

• Luteal phase defect (LPD) — LPD is a defect when inadequate progesterone secretion by the ovaries or the endometrium isn’t responding to normal progesterone production. 

What are some treatment options for idiopathic infertility?

A diagnosis of undiagnosed infertility, in theory, looks great on paper despite something obviously not working correctly. This diagnosis doesn’t mean you won’t grow your family. Treatments are available and may help boost your chances of fertility. Some of these treatments are: 

• Ovarian stimulation — Medication prescribed by your medical provider can help increase the number of ovulated eggs and boost the monthly pregnancy rate. When used with timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination, a pregnancy can occur in the first three months.

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — IUI is a fertility treatment also known as artificial insemination. Specially prepared sperm cells are inserted into the woman’s uterus to increase the chance of successful conception. 

• In vitro fertilization (IVF) — IVF is the most often tried method when other methods have failed. IVF is the joining of a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm in the laboratory. The fertilized egg is then inserted into the woman’s uterus. 

• Endometriosis surgery — Even if endometriosis has no symptoms other than infertility, there may be undiscovered patches. When found, these patches of endometrial tissue can be removed. Once removed, the chances of successful conception increase.

• Hormone balancing — In the event there are any hormones out of balance, treatment for the hormones may help boost your chances of fertility. Hormone levels in a different system could be impacting your reproductive system in an undetermined way. 

Fertility Cloud is here for you in your time of need

At Fertility Cloud, we have firsthand experience of the heartbreak and frustration of dealing with infertility. This setback doesn’t mean you won’t conceive. Your journey may just take a little longer. Our team of reproductive experts is here to help you every step of the way of your fertility journey. 

Our innovative approach of offering at-home fertility care aims to provide you with top-notch care at the convenience and comfort of your own home. Our certified fertility specialists will assist you through your unique situation and strive to help you achieve your goal of getting pregnant and growing your family. 

Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.

While we work diligently to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information available, it’s important to remember that every individual’s fertility journey is unique. The advice and content on this blog are intended for general informational purposes only and may not apply to your specific situation. Fertility-related concerns should always be addressed by a licensed healthcare provider who can assess your personal health history and offer tailored advice. It is crucial to seek professional medical guidance to ensure that any treatments or recommendations align with your individual needs. Please consult with your doctor or a fertility specialist for a more personalized and thorough evaluation.

When to see an infertility specialist?

Infertility is frustrating. Couples having fertility issues often turn to the experts of fertility: an infertility specialist. You may have a long list of questions or concerns about seeking assistance with your fertility. You aren’t alone. Infertility impacts 1 in 7 couples. Many don’t seek help due to fearing the potential costs or invasive procedures, yet early consultations can lead to an easier path to growing your family.

What is infertility?

Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after 12 months or longer of unprotected sex or six months or more if you are a woman 35 years of age or older. In the United States, 9% of men and 11% of women of childbearing age experience infertility. 

Infertility can be an issue for couples at the beginning of their conception journey, known as primary infertility. It can also happen to couples after previously having had successful pregnancies, called secondary infertility. Secondary infertility can also present as miscarriages after a successful pregnancy.

What are some common causes of infertility?

There are numerous molecular and biochemical events that must occur perfectly for a pregnancy to successfully develop. Simply put, a woman’s body first must release an egg from her ovaries. A man’s sperm then fertilizes the egg. The fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus and attaches to the uterus. 

Sometimes there are clear explanations on why people experience issues with fertility. Other times, there is no clear issue. When no clear cause can be determined, this is called idiopathic infertility, or unexplained fertility. 

If a man or woman is experiencing infertility, it can be due to issues such as: 

• Reproductive issues in women (e.g., PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts).
• Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
• Cancer, radiation or chemotherapy.
• Being overweight or underweight.
• High blood pressure.
• Low sperm count or motility in men.

What are some options to try before seeing an infertility specialist?

You may be thinking that since you are facing an infertility diagnosis, your only chance to grow your family comes from in vitro fertilization. However, while an option, IVF may not be your best move. Knowing your options can give you a needed boost in confidence, which can lessen your stress. There are options you can try before turning to a fertility specialist, including some at home options like:

• Ovulation tracking — Ovulation is the releasing of an egg from the ovary every month. An inexpensive place to start your fertility journey is ovulation tracking. You can track your basal body temperature at home. This will also help you time the optimal window for unprotected sex. 

• At-home testing — As medical advances have been made, there are now numerous options to test your reproductive — male and female — health at home. These tests, however, do not replace professional medical advice. Several at-home tests still need a doctor to review the results. 

• Supplements and diet — All your body’s systems are connected. What you consume can also impact your fertility. Being over-/underweight, eating disorders, and insulin resistance are complications that can lead to fertility issues. Vitamins and minerals can help boost your fertility and overall well-being.

• Acupuncture — The entire body is affected by blood flow and hormones. Acupuncture can help regulate hormones, which in turn can help boost fertility. 

• Sleep amount — Getting enough sleep each night is important. Your body enters a recovery period when you are sleeping. This helps all your body’s systems, including the reproductive systems. 

When is it time to see an infertility specialist?

You have been trying to conceive naturally and have been unsuccessful. When do you turn to an infertility specialist? If you are a woman under the age of 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 months or more, it is time to consult a specialist. If you are 35 or over and have been trying to conceive for six months or more, it is best you seek out a specialist. 

When seeing an infertility specialist, both partners should go; testing is beneficial for the both of you. Male infertility is the cause in about 30% of couples. Ovulatory defects in women cause approximately 40% of infertility issues of couples. 

A fertility specialist can help determine the cause of your infertility and create the path that can help you start your family. 

Innovative fertility care to jump-start your journey

In a rapidly changing world, medical care is experiencing innovative changes. Fertility care is now available at home through virtual appointments. At-home care options can offer comprehensive treatments and consultations with board-certified specialists, the same as in-person clinics. At-home consultations can work with your schedule, granting you peace of mind from your computer, phone or tablet. 

After your consultation, your doctor may recommend at-home testing or treatments. Though these will be shipped directly to your home, your doctor will still be there to closely monitor your care and treatment. 

Let our Fertility Cloud family help grow your family

An infertility diagnosis doesn’t mean you won’t conceive. We understand how difficult and frustrating this journey is. Maybe you’re waiting to seek help because you’re afraid of hearing bad news. The good news is there is a chance that whatever issue is keeping your family from growing may have a simple solution.

Our team at Fertility Cloud is made up of experts in the field of reproductive endocrinology. We have experienced firsthand the stress and uncertainty of not knowing where to turn or what your options are. 

Our approach is designed to best benefit you. We look at your unique situation through our at-home appointments. We strive to provide you with top-notch care to maximize your chances of growing your family. 

Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.