Acupuncture for Fertility

Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or with assisted reproductive technology, acupuncture has an important role to play in increasing your chances of success. Acupuncture has been shown to improve both male and female fertility by increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, reducing stress, and balancing hormonal function. However, if we look at the body in a holistic way, it becomes clear that optimum fertility requires a lot more than just well functioning reproductive organs. We are, quite literally, the building blocks of our children. The state of our general health at the time of conception, and onward through pregnancy has direct implications for the health of the children we bear. This means that becoming as well possible is a very worthy goal for anyone planning a pregnancy. These days, even though we have acccess to more food, more services and more 'things' than ever before, the fast pace of modern life leaves us all with less time to focus on nutrition, on exercise, on getting enough rest and relaxation. There is a great prevalence of nutritional depletion, which happens when we are deprived of essential nutrients and micro-nutrients on a long-term basis. Food intolerances often go unnoticed, but gradually the body begins to lack the essential building blocks it needs to maintain healthy blood, bones and skin as poor intestinal function leads to poor digestion and absorption. Stress and lack of rest also leave the body running on empty, lacking the energy to regenerate. Exercise, while essential for keeping our bodies healthy is often approached in ways that are too demanding and deplete the body's vital energy. Acupuncture can help to address these common problems and help to re-balance the body's energy and  improve the function of the organs. When your pulse is taken by an acupuncturist, it gives a very clear picture of your current state of health. Whether or not your digestion is working efficiently, whether your blood is being nourished. Whether your organs are functioning together and communicating well. It also reveals your constitutional tendancies, whether you are a robust person or whether there are inherent weaknesses in your body which need some extra care. Our bodies are not machines, and rebalancing the effects of the wear and tear that daily living brings takes time. However, we do have a marvellous capacity to recover, and our bodies respond beautifully when they get the correct care. If you are planning a pregnancy, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I feel energised, sleep well, wake feeling refreshed?
• How is my digestion....any heartburn, reflux, constipation or diarrhoea?
• Is my diet nourishing me?
• Am I stressed? Often times we are not conscious of stress, but are there everyday events that fill you with dread? Tasks or people you wish you could avoid?
• Have I got lifestyle habits that cause toxicity in my body....smoking, alcohol or drug intake?
• Is there a lot of screen time in my day?
• Could I reduce my exposure to environmental toxins in my home and at work?
• Do I have some space and time to relax each and every day? 

Acupuncture can help to optimise general health and well-being, often compromised by stress, overwork and the wear and tear brought about by modern daily living. It can help to regulate hormone balance, and treat conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS and irregular menstruation. Research has shown that acupuncture can dramatically improve the success rate of IVF. Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, create better conditions for implantation to take place, and to improve ovum and sperm quality. Undergoing assisted reproductive therapies such as IUI, IVF, or ICSI is stressful emotionally and financially and acupuncture is an excellent support during this demanding time. 

Pre-Conception care for men and women.

The optimum age at which to have children is the early twenties, from a biological point of view. These days however, the average age of first time mothers in the U.K. is thirty. This makes it increasingly likely that couples will have difficulty in conceiving. As we age, our exposure to environmental toxins, and to stress increases, and this takes its toll on the body. Acupuncture can help to optimise the fertility of both men and women. Your initial consultation will include analysis of the particular lifestyle factors that might need attention, and each couple will receive personalised dietary and food supplement recommendations. Food intolerance testing is available at the clinic and this can be useful to people with chronic health issues. The aim of pre-conception acupuncture is to optimise the health and well being of the couple and also to reduce stress, as well as treating any long standing conditions which may compromise fertility. Embarking on a course of acupuncture treatment or fertility treatment for the first time is daunting prospect for any couple. At Aran Acupuncture a free half-hour consultation is available either at the clinic or by phone or skype.  This is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss your concerns, which will give you a clearer idea of your individual treatment requirements. 

Acupuncture can help with:

• Endometriosis
• PCOS
• Irregular menstruation
• Amenhorrea
• Painful Periods
• Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
• Recurrent Miscarriage
• Motility, morphology and volume of sperm
• Erectile dysfunction
• Support during IVF, ICSI and all assisted reproductive treatments.