Acupuncture For Fertility
If you have been trying to conceive for months or have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, chances are you have probably heard of acupuncture for fertility. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese alternative medicine where thin sterile needles are inserted into certain points on the body. The purpose is to promote natural self-healing and restore balance and energy throughout the body.
Acupuncture is used to promote fertility by increasing blood flow to the endometrium creating a thick lining and stimulating the ovaries to produce healthy eggs. When combined with herbal medicine, acupuncture is said to be really effective. Some people believe it might be the placebo effect, but who cares if it works. Therefore, some people choose to use hypnosis to get pregnant. If you believe something in your mind, you can manifest it in your body. I personally am a firm believer of that and think it is important to try to keep a positive attitude when trying to conceive.
In The News
In the news yesterday, Hollywood Gossip was talking about how Gwen Stefani is using alternative medicine to try to get pregnant at the age of 47. Her regimen consists of hypnosis, herbs, and acupuncture. Gwen conceived her youngest child at the age of 43, but I am not sure if she used any type of fertility treatment or if it was just a natural pregnancy. It seems that a lot of celebrities are waiting until later to have children and it makes sense because women in general are waiting longer to have babies.
When I hear of older celebrities getting pregnant, I usually give my typical eyeroll because they can afford all the fertility treatments and IVF needed to get pregnant. So, to me it really isn’t a big deal to hear something like “Janet Jackson pregnant at 50 (or however old she is). Not to mention the fact that they have the money to hire several nannies to aid them in childrearing. However, with Gwen Stefani using alternative medicine, heck! A regular Joe can do that and it can be cost effective. I mean, if you were considering or saving up for IVF, giving alternative medicine, a try first makes so much more sense. Anyway, I digress.
Who Can Use Acupuncture
Using acupuncture for fertility works for women with a variety of conditions such as: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, PCOS, luteal phase defect (LPD), hormone issues (i.e. FSH problems), etc. It is even used for the male factor infertility issues and it is becoming more popular. However, it does not work if tubal/pelvic adhesions (scar tissue).
When I was considering IVF the RE referred me to an acupuncturist in preparation. As with anything you are doing or taking (i.e. supplements or vitamins), you should give it three months to work. In my case, the doctor recommended that I see the acupuncturist for three months prior to starting the treatment. I actually didn’t follow through with the IVF because I became pregnant on my own. This is why I believe in the placebo effect or if the mind believes it, it can happen.
Mind Over Matter
When I was considering acupuncture to conceive using IVF, I just knew it was going to work. I was so happy and so positive. It really took the pressure off at home and trying to get the timing right to get pregnant. My husband was less stressed and we were just being intimate for fun knowing we would soon be pregnant using IVF. I was carefree, relaxed, and my mind was at ease. That is when I got pregnant. My mind believed it would happen and it did! Sadly, it ended in loss (one of the four losses), but I was just happy that I was able to get pregnant!
If you are at the end of your rope and frustrated with the process of getting pregnant, I would recommend acupuncture. If anything, it will help relieve the stress and the negative energy that can happen when trying to conceive. As always, you should keep an open mind and believe that good things will happen. I am not saying to look at life with rose colored glasses, but try to stay positive because this whole process can be very depressing.
Wow Tiffany! What a very inspiring, informative, and emotional article. I am so glad that you are giving hope to a lot of couples who want to experience the joy of parenthood. You have had many challenges, and many threw in the towel–but not you!
During the ’70’s, and ’80’s, medicine was no where near the advancements that are currently available to so many. Big money should not determine the outcome of one’s heart desire. Acupuncture seems to be non-evasive and a cost-effective approach to fulfill so many dreams.
Thank you for an awe inspiring article. You should be proud to have answered and given hope to so many!
Thank you so much! It has been a tough road trying to conceive and I would like to help as many people possible achieve pregnancy. You are right. Medicine today is a blessing and there are so many interventions. I just want to inform people of their options.
I can’t believe you were able to conceive with the help of acupuncture! I had never considered trying that as an option. Im younger than 30 but am having trouble conceiving. I honestly think I get in my own head so much that there is no way that I’ll ever be able to. I think the most I’ve gotten out of this is that I just need to relax! Im highly anxious as it is so maybe acupuncture would be good for my fertility and in general. Thank you!
Sometimes, when you are healing your mind, you are healing your body. If your mind can conceive it, I truly believe you can achieve it. Plus it makes sense. Sometimes we have such obvious answers that we haven’t even looked for because of that very reason. Thank you for the comment!