Acupuncture for Male & Female Fertility
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic system that supports overall health and well-being using tools like acupuncture and Chinese herbs. TCM is used to support fertility by optimizing the body’s physical and mental functions, helping natural conception, even when infertility is unexplained. Traditional Chinese Medicine can also offer supportive benefits for women undergoing fertility treatments like IUI or IVF at a medical clinic.
In this blog post Tomoyo Furusho, our traditional Chinese medicine practitioner (TCMP) offers some valuable information to help answer some common fertility questions. Reach out to us if you would like to know more about fertility support at info@womenshealthcentre.ca.
How Can Acupuncture Improve Fertility in Women?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a magical acupuncture point that guarantees pregnancy, but there are ways we can support your body and improve your chances of conception.
There are many contributing factors to infertility, and stress has been shown to impact conception and pregnancy. Other contributing factors might include poor digestion, poor sleep and irregular menstrual cycle.
Acupuncture is well-known for its ability to reduce stress levels, helping to improve fertility outcomes.
Your TCM practitioner or acupuncturist will tailor treatments based on your individual health needs.
How Can Acupuncture Improve Fertility in men?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a complementary approach to male fertility, aiming to enhance different areas of reproductive health. Acupuncture and herbal therapy can help support the chances of fertility for men, offering gentle and non invasive support.
Our primary focus in each treatment is to optimize a man’s general well-being to better support his reproductive function. This includes addressing chronic stress and any imbalances that may have been created by poor sleep habits, poor diet and digestion issues.
Spermatogenesis typically takes three months or more to notice improvement, so it’s a good idea to commit to regular acupuncture treatments.
When Is the Best Time to Start Acupuncture for Conception?
You can add acupuncture to your health routine anytime, however timing is important for conception. Ideally, acupuncture treatments are recommended at key points in your cycle:
- Before your period
- After your period
- Right before ovulation
- About 5 days after ovulation – alternatively, once a week is also beneficial.
How Many Treatments Might You Need? This depends on the individual. Ideally, I recommend continuing treatment for at least three menstrual cycles.
How Can Acupuncture Help with Egg Retrieval for IUI or IVF?
For IVF:
Acupuncture can help improve egg quality, reduce stress, and support your body throughout the IVF process. It may also ease the side effects of fertility medications and help manage symptoms such as OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) following egg retrieval. Additionally, acupuncture is a valuable tool in preparing for a frozen embryo transfer (FET).
For IUI:
The approach is similar—acupuncture supports overall reproductive health, enhances the effectiveness of the procedure, and helps manage stress.
Can Herbal Medicine Help Support Conception?
There’s no one-size-fits-all herbal formula. Like acupuncture, herbal medicine supports conception by helping to balance and optimize your overall health.
Herbal medicine is personalized to meet the patient’s health needs.
Are There Any Foods or Lifestyle Tips to Support Fertility?
Dietary recommendations depend on your individual body constitution, but in general:
- Warm, cooked foods are preferred
- A sufficient intake of protein is helpful for hormone balance
- Regular physical movement is important to improve blood circulation
Reference: Feed Your Fertility by Emily Bartlett, LAc & Laura Erlich, LAc
Tomoyo Furusho
TCMP (traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner)
Applied Holistic Nutritionist
