Tag Archive for: fertility specialists

Acupuncture for Fertility: What You Should Know

Acupuncture for Fertility: What You Should Know

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Facing infertility and fertility struggles can be a daunting and prolonged journey.

Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to couples seeking to conceive. Acupuncture, both as a standalone therapy, and in conjunction with Western medicine, is one approach to enhance the effectiveness of fertility treatments.

In this blog post, we will explore the role of acupuncture in addressing fertility challenges, its mechanisms, and essential considerations before embarking on this treatment path.

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves the use of needles to stimulate specific points on the body.

The practice has been around for thousands of years and is known for its ability to promote physical and emotional wellbeing. Acupuncture for fertility involves the insertion of needles into specific points of the body, with the aim of improving reproductive function.

Studies have found that acupuncture can increase the success rate of fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI, and hormone therapy. Acupuncture also helps alleviate side effects associated with these treatments, including pain, nausea, and fatigue. Furthermore, acupuncture is non-invasive, painless, and low-cost, thus making it an attractive complement to modern fertility procedures.

It is important to note that fertility is a journey, and we highly recommend that both partners undergo acupuncture treatment.

This helps reduce stress and anxiety, enhances the overall experience, and increases the chances of a successful outcome. We believe that acupuncture can be a helpful adjunct to modern fertility treatments, and we’re dedicated to helping our patients achieve their dream of starting a family.

Acupuncture for fertility is a safe, painless, and low-cost complement to modern fertility treatments.

It works by stimulating specific points on the body to improve reproductive function and increase the success rate of fertility treatments.

At Lokahi Acupuncture, we take a comprehensive approach to fertility treatment, examining every aspect of our patients’ lives to develop an actionable treatment plan. We believe that a holistic approach to fertility treatment improves the overall experience and the chances of a successful outcome.

Research:

  • “The status and future of acupuncture mechanism research” – This study explores the mechanisms of acupuncture and its potential benefits in enhancing the success of IVF treatments. Source
  • “The role of acupuncture in the management of subfertility” – This research reviews studies on the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes and discusses its potential role in improving fertility. Source
  • “Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization research: Current and future directions” – This article examines the current use of acupuncture alongside IVF cycles and highlights its long-standing history in supporting fertility. Source
  • “Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer” – This study summarizes recent research on the effects of acupuncture before and after embryo transfer and its impact on pregnancy rates. Source
  • “Development of a fertility acupuncture protocol: defining an acupuncture treatment protocol to support and treat women experiencing conception delays” – This research focuses on developing a consensus among acupuncture fertility specialists to establish an effective treatment protocol for women experiencing conception delays. Source

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any further inquiries or concerns or schedule a free consultation here.

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
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5 ways Acupuncture can help you with IVF

5 Ways Acupuncture Can Help You With IVF

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For some people wanting to have a baby, IVF may be the only option.

Reproductive Endocrinologists know that acupuncture improves IVF outcomes. Here’s why they refer patients to acupuncturists, like Lokahi Acupuncture, who specialize in fertility medicine:

1.   Acupuncture increases blood flow to the ovaries

Correct placement of the acupuncture needles has been shown to increase blood flow to internal organs. With increased blood flow to the ovaries, nutrients are delivered and blood flow is optimized.

Since IVF medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce as many eggs as possible, acupuncture helps make sure that the ovaries are able to do what the medication is asking of them.

2.   Acupuncture supports egg development

By improving ovarian function, acupuncture supports the body to produce the best possible eggs. IVF stimulation requires the body to produce as many eggs as it can.

While nothing can increase the number of eggs you were born with, acupuncture can help make sure that what you do have is the best quality it can be. The IVF medications bring the eggs to the surface and get them growing; the acupuncture shunts blood and energy to the growing eggs, supporting the quality.

3.   Acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus

By increasing blood flow to the uterus, acupuncture treatment during the transfer phase of an IVF cycle ensures the endometrial lining is as hospitable as possible for the implantation of the embryo. Blood flow brings with it nutrients as well as plumping the uterine lining to be thick enough to support implantation.

Typically, acupuncture treatment specifically working on this would happen in conjunction with IVF stimulation medications prior to retrieval and then continue until just before transfer.

4.   Acupuncture helps minimize the side effects of IVF medication

IVF medication can have uncomfortable side effects such as anxiety, bloating, night sweats, breast tenderness, headaches and mood changes. Acupuncture helps mediate and minimize side effects, making for a more pleasant experience. As one of our local Reproductive Endocrinologists put it, “patients just do better with acupuncture”.

5.   Acupuncture reduces stress

With the combination of hormonal treatment and the busy IVF schedule, this can be a very stressful time. Acupuncture promotes relaxation in the body, calms the nervous system and allows you to experience the journey in a better headspace.

As fertility specialists, we believe that if you are going to spend the time, energy and money to come and work with us, you deserve to have every opportunity to succeed in becoming pregnant. We invite you to make an appointment or speak to one of our fertility specialists.

For further information and sources, consider reading research papers by Lee Hollender Rubin, Aaron B. Caughey, Michael S. Opsahl and Klaus Weimer Impact of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine on In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
Follow us on Instagram
Make an Appointment

5 Tips for Trying to Conceive Naturally

5 Tips for Trying to Conceive Naturally

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We often hear the phrase “I never thought it could be this hard.” Trying to conceive naturally can be a challenge, but you can give yourself the best possible chance with a few tips.

Here are our 5 top tips for trying to conceive naturally.

Know your cycle

We are taught in school that ovulation occurs on day 14 of a 28-day cycle. What we are not taught is that we are rarely “textbook” beings. Many women do not ovulate on cycle day 14, nor do they have 28-day cycles.

The best way to know more about your cycle is to track ovulation. By far the most popular way to track your cycle is with an app, but tracking the old fashioned way on paper is just as effective. Cycle day 1 is the first day of your period. Begin by tracking the number of days between cycle day 1, and the start of your next period, or the next cycle day 1.

Once you have a few months of data, you will likely start to notice one of three patterns.

First, you may have a predictable, regular cycle.

Second, you may have an irregular length cycle that is somewhat predictable.

Third, you may have an erratic, unpredictable cycle length.

Cycle tracking provides useful information to help predict when, or if, you’re ovulating, and thus informs the best time to have intercourse. Cycle tracking can also help diagnose potential causes for a difficulty in conceiving.

Eat well

When we are trying to conceive, our cells are the building blocks upon which to start new life. Our cells require a diverse range of nutrients in order to create and sustain new life. They also need to be protected by antioxidants. Additionally fat is a major building block of our hormones.

A general rule of thumb to eat well for fertility is a diet with protein, healthy fat and vegetables at every meal and as few processed foods as possible. We will be dedicating an entire blog post to this topic in the future!

Take care of yourself

No one expects you to be in some kind of stress-free vortex while you try and conceive. However, there is no doubt that excess stress on your body can complicate matters. Recommendations here are common-sense.

Don’t sign up for your very first marathon. Don’t take on extra responsibilities at work or at home if you have the choice. Do try and prioritize rest, balance and well-being during this time.

Take your vitamins

At a minimum, take a prenatal vitamin. For most people that won’t be enough. Many of our patients come in, completely overwhelmed, with bags full of supplements. A trained professional can review your supplement needs with you.

It is important to know what vitamins you should take, and why.

Get checked out

Each partner is 50% of the conception equation. For heterosexual partners trying to conceive naturally, both partners can undergo a fertility workup to make sure nothing is impeding conception. It is important to take this step if you have been trying to conceive for a few months because there could be issues that need treatment before conception can happen.

These tips are by no means an exhaustive list.

This is a place to start when preparing to conceive naturally for optimal success. As fertility specialists, we believe that if you are going to spend the time, energy and money to come and work with us, you deserve to have every opportunity to succeed in becoming pregnant.

We invite you to make an appointment or speak to one of our fertility specialists.

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
Follow us on Instagram
Make an Appointment