Courtney Maree Reiman, DACM, LAc, specializing in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and loss @drcourtneyreiman

Whether you are undergoing conventional fertility treatments or trying to conceive naturally, acupuncture can help increase your likelihood of success. 

I’ve heard that acupuncture can actually help people get pregnant. Is that true? And how? 

It really takes a healthy, determined sperm and a healthy, receptive egg to start the conception process. While that sounds simple, in many cases it’s not. Many women spend the first part of their lives trying to prevent pregnancy. When their priorities change and the desire shifts toward having a baby, it can be incredibly frustrating if pregnancy doesn’t happen right away. 

As it turns out, 1 in 8 couples* have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help by optimizing chances for the production of healthy sperm and eggs, successful implantation and sustaining a healthy full term pregnancy. More specifically, regular acupuncture treatments can help by:

Balancing Hormones

Acupuncture helps balance the hormones and stimulates neurotransmitters that encourage the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which influences the menstrual cycle and ovulation. A healthy, regular period and normal ovulation is key to conception. 

Drawing Blood to the Reproductive Organs

Acupuncture draws healthy blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Sufficient blood flow to the uterus is essential for the release of a healthy follicle and egg; it also helps to thicken the uterine lining, which improves the chances for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterine wall. Keep in mind that getting regular treatments three months before trying to conceive naturally or through IVF or IUI may optimize your chances of boosting egg quality.

Reducing Stress

There is a lot of research highlighting how stress negatively impacts the chances of becoming pregnant. Acupuncture offsets stress, increasing fertility and maintaining healthy pregnancies. 

Unhealthy levels of chronic stress can inhibit our ability to properly uptake progesterone, may hinder implantation of the fertilized egg and can decrease chances for regular ovulation. Additionally, an overactive nervous system sends blood away from the uterus and ovaries to the essential organs, thus lessening the overall function of our reproductive system.

Regulating Your Periods

Acupuncture is extremely effective in treating all types of period irregularities (such as PMS, amenorrhea, irregular, heavy, or painful periods). The smoother and more regular your periods are, the better chances that there is balance in the body. 

Clearing Inflammation

Inflammation is at the root of many fertility issues. A licensed practitioner will likely go beyond acupuncture to address inflammation and will likely suggest that you follow an anti-inflammatory diet appropriate to your needs and food sensitivities. Eating mostly whole, cooked foods (such as vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains and proteins) and cutting out excess wheat, dairy, sugar and processed foods will optimize your egg quality. (This type of diet has a similarly positive effect on sperm quality, too.)

Reminder: It takes two to tango

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 40% of infertility cases are impacted by the male partner. Acupuncture (and herbs!) does more than enhance egg quality; it is equally effective at improving sperm quality.

What are the appointments like? How often do I have to go?

Whether you are undergoing conventional fertility treatments or trying to conceive naturally, acupuncture can help increase your likelihood of success. At your first appointment, your practitioner will likely ask you about your diet, digestion, sleep, mood, stress levels, menstrual history, conception history, any pregnancy losses and overall health. They will also take a look at your tongue and check your pulse to confirm a diagnosis. After talking with you at length about your health history, your acupuncturist will get you comfortably set up on a massage table, where you’ll relax for your acupuncture treatment  (usually around 25 minutes). 

Based on your discussion with the practitioner, you will be told how many sessions will be appropriate to resolve any symptoms (such as irregular periods, PCOS or elevated stress), before your acupuncturist recommends you begin trying to conceive. Your treatment frequency will reflect their recommendations and can be anywhere from once to twice per week. 

It typically takes a good three months to optimize your chances of improving egg quality and other fertility factors - patience is key.