Infertility is an issue that affects both men and women. According to the CDC reports, about 6% of married women 15-44 struggle to get pregnant after one year trying. 12% of women in the same age bracket experience difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term, regardless of their marital status.
Men also struggle with infertility, as they are solely responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases, and play a role in 50% of infertility reports.
Science has played a role in aiding people and couples struggling with infertility. There are also homeopathic remedies that can boost fertility naturally. Some couples start with traditional solutions, such as acupuncture.
If you’re interested in learning more about acupuncture and how it affects fertility, find out if your provider offers HIPAA compliant texting software. You can reach out to your provider with all of your questions with a quick text message.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that involves inserting thin needles into the body. This therapy works based on life energy and the idea that any disease or complication is due to a disruption in the energy flow.
When a patient goes in for an acupuncture session, the expert uses 365 thin needles in various parts of the body known as acupuncture points. Think of the needles as pine needles rather than a painful needle or shot. Every one of the needles lightly touches the skin’s surface without penetrating the arteries or veins.
Acupuncture has been in use for thousands of years. The therapy has grown in popularity in the United States in recent years. Many of its advocates use it as an alternative approach to conventional treatment for various health conditions like:
- Pain treatment
- Stress management
- Chemotherapy-induced illness
- Infertility
- And more
Does Acupuncture Really Increase Fertility?
One practical use of acupuncture is in the treatment of infertility. The therapy works by helping the body balance hormones. It also relieves stress, which can contribute to low fertility.
Acupuncture boosts blood flow to the reproductive organs, which may increase your chances of getting pregnant. The research on the effectiveness of acupuncture is inconclusive, with some studies claiming that it has little or no benefit. However, many other studies show that acupuncture leads to significant and positive results.
Treatment for infertility and the process of trying to get pregnant can be stressful. Chronic stress can negatively impact pregnancy, and acupuncture is a way to relieve stress.
The procedure itself is safe, and some infertility clinics have licensed acupuncturists on-staff should their clients opt for this service. Many of these clinics also offer HIPAA texting software, so that you can ask providers questions from the comfort of your home.
How Does Acupuncture for Fertility Work?
Here’s what you can expect from a pro-fertility acupuncture visit:
- The needles are sterilized before use and disposed of after use.
- The needles are like strands of hair and are inserted either just under the skin or a little deeper (to the muscle tissue).
- People who have gone through the process say that it feels a little tingly at first. Some drift off to sleep during the procedure, whereas others feel a dull headache. Overall, the procedure is not painful.
- The therapy works on the idea of the mind-body connection. Sometimes a disruption in this connection may be contributing to infertility — for instance, a general imbalance triggered by emotional distress.
One of the most common questions people ask is where the needles go when receiving acupuncture for infertility. Here are just a few fertility acupuncture points for women:
| Acupuncture Point | Rough Location |
| Ren 3 and 4 | In the abdomen |
| Zingong | At the ovaries |
| Ren 12 | Between the belly button and the sternum |
| St 30 | Below the umbilicus and lateral |
For men, experts may utilize the following acupuncture points:
| Acupuncture Point | Rough Location |
| LV8 | The side of the knee joint |
| SP6 | Inside the leg over the inner ankle bone |
| Stomach 36 | Between the kneecap and shin bones |
| CV6 | Three-finger width below the belly button |
There are dozens of other pressure points that acupuncturists will use to boost male and female fertility.
How to Schedule Acupuncture Services for Infertility
One in five couples opts for acupuncture services to complement their infertility treatment. You can find experienced acupuncturists and other fertility clinics near you.
To learn more about more proven fertility treatments that may be right for you, check out this complete guide to fertility treatments. In today’s day and age, there are both natural and medical treatments that can make it possible to expand your family.