fertility

Chinese medicine has recently gained widespread popularity for the treatment of infertility, both alone and alongside assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as IUI and IVF. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy have been shown to improve both male and female fertility in a number of studies.¹ Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or with the assistance of ART, acupuncture can help to improve your fertility and achieve pregnancy. At Gotham Holistic Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine we know that every journey to pregnancy is different and our acupuncture treatments are custom tailored to each patient. 

What Does It Mean To Be Infertile?

The commonly used definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected sex. Female causes of infertility include hormonal imbalances, low egg count, low egg quality, ovulation disorders, issues with the endometrial lining, fallopian tube blockage, and ovarian insufficiency. Male causes of infertility include abnormal or insufficient sperm production, injury to reproductive organs, and blockage of the pathway that delivers sperm.

How Chinese Medicine Helps With Fertility

The specific mechanisms by which acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine improve fertility is yet to be fully understood from a scientific perspective. However, it is understood that acupuncture placed at strategically selected points helps to send improved circulation to the reproductive organs, particularly the uterus.¹ According to Chinese medicine, this helps to heal damaged tissues and remove stagnation or blockages. Studies also show an improvement in egg quality,² sperm quality,³ and hormonal balance.⁴ Additionally, chronic stress may adversely affect fertility, and Chinese medicine can help to treat this potential underlying cause. Many couples also find it helpful to ease tension during the process of trying to conceive. 

Acupuncture for Natural Conception, IUI, and IVF

Fertility treatments are not just for people who have a diagnosed condition. If you aren’t ready for invasive treatments, Chinese medicine is a great non-invasive treatment option. Additionally, for those utilizing assisted reproductive technology (ART), acupuncture increases chances of success with intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro insemination (IVF).^8,9

LGBTQIA+ Fertility

Every fertility journey is different and all are welcome at Gotham Holistic Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine. All patients regardless of gender and sexual orientation receive the same excellence in care. Additionally, we acknowledge that conceiving as a non-heterosexual couple can present particular challenges and be uniquely stressful at times. We strive to celebrate your journey as we support your fertility and mental-emotional health.

Is Acupuncture Good for Male Fertility?

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs are a great holistic option for the treatment of male infertility. Chinese medicine helps to balance hormones and reduce stress; both important health factors which affect male fertility. Studies have also shown that acupuncture may help to improve sperm motility, morphology, and concentration. Treatment can be done alone or alongside the course of treatment recommended by your western medical doctor.

Acupuncture for Fertility Appointments at Gotham Holistic in NYC

If you are interested in learning more about how our fertility-focused acupuncture treatments can help you, get started by scheduling your appointment online. During this in-person consultation, you’ll meet with our licensed and experienced NYC acupuncturist. We’ll go over your health history, current timeline as it may relate to getting pregnant, and health goals. We’ll determine the best treatment plan for you, and answer any questions you may have. 

Sources 

1. Stener-Victorin E, Waldenström U, Andersson SA, Wikland M. Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Hum Reprod. 1996 Jun;11(6):1314-7. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a019378. PMID: 8671446.
2. Jing LI, Wei CUI, Wei SUN, Ji WEN, Effect of electroacupuncture on egg quality and tumor necrosis factor -α of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome, World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion, Volume 24, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 9-15, ISSN 1003-5257
3. Zhu J, Arsovska B, Kozovska K. Acupuncture Treatment for Fertility. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018 Sep 19;6(9):1685-1687. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.379. PMID: 30337989; PMCID: PMC6182526.
4. Shen LY, Liang CM, Yang WJ, Pan L, Li H, Hu H. [Acupuncture Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients with Abdominal Obesity by Regulating Dai Meridian: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial]. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2018 Apr 25;43(4):255-9. Chinese. doi: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.170687. PMID: 29888581.
5. Li QQ, Shi GX, Xu Q, Wang J, Liu CZ, Wang LP. Acupuncture effect and central autonomic regulation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:267959. doi: 10.1155/2013/267959. Epub 2013 May 26. PMID: 23762116; PMCID: PMC3677642.
6. Massey AJ, Campbell BK, Raine-Fenning N, Pincott-Allen C, Perry J, Vedhara K. Relationship between hair and salivary cortisol and pregnancy in women undergoing IVF. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016 Dec;74:397-405. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.08.027. Epub 2016 Aug 31. PMID: 27756033.
7. Rooney KL, Domar AD. The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2018 Mar;20(1):41-47. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/klrooney. PMID: 29946210; PMCID: PMC6016043.
8. Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(01)03273-3. PMID: 11937123.
9. Wang X, Wang Y, Wei S, He B, Cao Y, Zhang N, Li M. An Overview of Systematic Reviews of Acupuncture for Infertile Women Undergoing in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer. Front Public Health. 2021 Apr 20;9:651811. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.651811. PMID: 33959581; PMCID: PMC8096176.
10. Huang DM, Huang GY, Lu FE, Stefan D, Andreas N, Robert G. Acupuncture for infertility: is it an effective therapy? Chin J Integr Med. 2011 May;17(5):386-95. doi: 10.1007/s11655-011-0611-8. Epub 2011 May 25. PMID: 21611904.