They all laughed or rolled their eyes when I told them I was going to use acupuncture for infertility.
But when I became pregnant so quickly, they finally believed that this is indeed a viable treatment for any couple experiencing the pain of not being able to have children.
Not only can it work for either partner, it is essentially risk free and may be used on its own or in conjunction with ancient herb remedies or artificial reproductive methods such as IVF.
If you are having issues conceiving, it would be foolish not to investigate this simple and pain free approach.
In the United States, acupuncture remains an anomaly and certainly not the norm, although it is becoming more accepted as a treatment for a variety of medical ailments.
In fact, some medical doctors have now been trained in this ancient procedure and are practicing on a regular basis.
At minimum you must use a certified acupuncturist and preferably someone who regularly handles infertility cases.
Your personal physician may not support such an approach, but most fertility clinics can help you in finding qualified practitioners.
There is absolutely no question that the use of acupuncture for infertility works.
There have been thousands of cases and dozens of studies showing positive results.
In many cases, conceiving occurs immediately, within days, depending of course on the ovulation cycle.
Other situations may require several attempts or be coupled with unique herbs that may require more time.
In some cases, acupuncture promotes positive results in standard artificial reproductive treatments (ART) including in vitro fertilization.
In any case, it is slowly becoming a more accepted practice and important alternative consideration.
As you probably know, acupuncture stimulates certain points on the body through the use of tiny needles, which seems to regulate the body systems, help in pain and promote healing.
Although it has been used for thousands of years, new applications and approaches continue to expand.
Research has shown that proper application for pregnancy issues can enhance female follicular and ovarian functions, as well as promote sperm quality and count.
It also can assist in promoting correct hormonal levels for fertility, and improve blood flow to reproductive organs.
Likewise, it improves endorphin and other hormone production in the brain that is required in conception.
On top of all this, acupuncture has shown to have an affect of relaxation and anxiety relief, which can definitely improve the couples feeling of well being.
To date, acupuncture has been very successful in a variety of infertility concerns, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), spasmodic tubal issues, erratic ovulation with PCOS, and also DNA fragmentation concerning male sperm.
Most importantly, it has been shown to improve the success rate of standard treatment protocols, such as IVF from 25% to over 50%.
So even if your medical providers are promoting one of these treatments, such as egg donation, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, IUI or IVF, you should certainly consider acupuncture in combination to enhance the outcome.
Be sure to investigate your insurance policy to determine if acupuncture is covered.
Do your homework on this, find a clinic willing to work with you and find an experienced professional in the field.
You will be pleased with the outcome.