Acupuncture is an effective treatment for improving fertility in both men and women. For women, acupuncture regulates fertility hormones, increases the number of high-quality eggs, optimizes the uterine environment, and reduces stress and anxiety levels. In men, acupuncture boosts sperm quantity and quality.

 

The Mechanism of Acupuncture

 

Acupuncture involves the  insertion of needles at specific acupuncture points which stimulates the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters then travel through the central nervous system to the brain, where they either activate or inhibit nerve signals. It is this modulation of neurotransmitters and nerve signals that allows acupuncture to regulate hormone release and various aspects of physiological health, including fertility.

 

Balancing Female Hormones

 

Careful balancing of the female reproductive hormones is crucial for optimal fertility. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is essential for the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles. Elevated FSH levels indicate that the brain must work harder to stimulate follicle and egg development, which can signal a woman's transition into perimenopause. Extremely high FSH may even signify the ovaries have ceased functioning.

 

In assisted fertility treatments, women with raised FSH levels tend to respond poorly to ovarian stimulation medications and produce fewer eggs, and in severe cases, no eggs at all. Notably, a recent comprehensive review found that acupuncture can positively influence the secretion of reproductive hormones, potentially helping women respond better to ovarian stimulation, whether medication-based or natural.

 

Increasing Blood Flow 

 

Ovarian follicles and their eggs require hormones and nutrients delivered via the ovarian blood supply to grow and develop. Efficient blood flow to the ovaries is associated with higher quality eggs. Conversely, compromised blood flow can starve the follicles and eggs of vital nutrients and oxygen, potentially leading to fewer good quality eggs during assisted fertility treatments.

 

Research has shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries by relaxing the walls of blood vessels. In a recent randomized controlled trial, patients receiving acupuncture had significantly more mature eggs compared to those receiving sham (placebo) acupuncture (Kusuma et al., 2019).

 

Male Infertility

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Up to 40% of infertility cases are at least partly due to male factor infertility. Some fertility experts believe that as long as a man has any sperm, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can overcome male infertility. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg. However, ICSI pregnancy rates are virtually the same as conventional IVF (33% vs 32.4%). One reason IVF/ICSI may not fully overcome male infertility is that the procedure cannot improve the quality of the sperm itself. It only selects the "best looking" sperm to inject into the egg. Since the embryo contains 50% maternal and 50% paternal DNA, poor sperm quality can lead to poor embryo quality and failed implantation.

 

Preliminary research indicates that acupuncture may positively influence various sperm parameters, including concentration, motility, vitality, and count. Acupuncture treatment of male partners has also been shown to increase IVF fertilization rates, potentially providing more viable embryos. Some evidence also suggests acupuncture may help regulate testosterone levels, which is crucial for adequate sperm production.

 

Increase Embryo Implantation

 

A growing body of evidence suggests that acupuncture can increase embryo implantation rates. For example, one recent study found that acupuncture significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates in patients with a history of two or more failed IVF cycles.

 

Embryo implantation is dependent on several key factors, including adequate blood supply to the uterus. Research indicates that good uterine blood flow just prior to egg retrieval is associated with improved IVF conception rates. As noted, acupuncture has been shown to successfully increase blood flow to the reproductive organs.

 

Implantation also relies on a properly functioning immune system. In some cases, immune system issues can prevent embryo implantation. Extensive human and animal research demonstrates that acupuncture helps regulate immune function.

 

Helping with the Stress of Infertility

 

A diagnosis of infertility can be as emotionally devastating as a cancer diagnosis, according to research. Stress is particularly detrimental to fertility patients, as it can:

• Disrupt reproductive hormones

• Decrease sperm quality and quantity

• Shorten menstrual cycles and the luteal phase, hindering embryo implantation

• Increase the risk of miscarriage

 

By addressing the emotional toll and managing stress levels, patients may be able to improve their fertility outcomes.

 

Several studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can effectively reduce anxiety and stress symptoms in infertility patients. Specifically, acupuncture has been shown to lower cortisol, a key physiological marker of stress. A recent meta-analysis further confirms that acupuncture significantly alleviates anxiety in patients undergoing fertility treatments (Ye et al., 2021).

 

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the world's preeminent professional organization for reproductive medicine, recommends that infertility patients incorporate acupuncture as a means to manage stress and other infertility-related issues.

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Acupuncture represents a safe and effective non-pharmacological approach to improving fertility and IVF success rates. However, it is important to note that acupuncture is not a quick-fix solution, and its benefits often require consistent, long-term treatment.

 

When is Acupuncture Needed?

 

The research shows that acupuncture treatment is more successful in increasing the IVF pregnancy rate when administered throughout all stages of the IVF process, not just around the time of embryo transfer (Qian et al., 2017). Acupuncture may need to be started at least two to three months before commencing medical infertility treatment, and even earlier in some complex cases. This is because ovarian follicles and the eggs within them take over a year to develop, and sperm takes around three months to be produced. Continuing acupuncture treatment throughout all stages of IVF and into early pregnancy may also be beneficial. However, it is important to remember that some acupuncture is always better than no acupuncture and it is never too late to begin.