How Acupuncture Can Improve The Success of IVF

If you’re going through fertility treatment and are at the point of turning to IVF, it’s an anxious time in your life. You’ve had trouble conceiving, and you’re ready to take a big step in your quest to have a biological child. You’re likely researching factors that could help increase the success of IVF. 

Board-certified acupuncturist Dr. Dongwhan Lee with DH Acupuncture in New York, New York, recommends acupuncture treatment while you’re going through fertility treatments, including IVF. Surveys estimate that up to 47% of couples include acupuncture in IVF cycles now. This complementary integrative health treatment is at the point of becoming a standard practice during IVF. 

Let’s look at the reasons IVF has become a popular add-on to IVF procedures.  

Acupuncture increases blood flow to your reproductive organs 

Proper blood circulation is critical to your life. Without oxygen and other nutrients that your blood carries to your organs, bones, and soft tissue, you couldn’t survive. 

Proper blood flow is also necessary for reproduction. Anxiety, stress, and aging can slow blood flow to your reproductive organs just when you need it most as you’re trying to get pregnant. 

Acupuncture helps improve blood flow to your ovaries and uterus. It helps your blood vessels dilate, which releases important nutrient-rich blood. 

Good blood supply helps ensure your reproductive organs are receptive to embryo formation. Proper blood flow to your uterus helps develop a strong uterine lining and also aids embryo implantation. In addition, increased blood flow to your ovaries may improve your response to IVF medication.    

Acupuncture relieves stress that can impact fertility

Researchers agree that acupuncture can reduce your body’s stress response and induce  relaxation. During acupuncture treatment, your body releases endorphins —  hormones that relax your muscles, calm your breathing, and elevate your mood.

Researchers today agree that stress can affect fertility. When you’re stressed, your levels of cortisol are higher than normal. 

High levels of stress hormones may impact communication between the brain and ovaries, which can affect ovulation. Increased levels of endorphins produced during acupuncture sessions may improve the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), necessary for ovulation and fertility. 

Women undergoing IVF are naturally under an increased level of stress. Researchers say that evidence supports acupuncture treatments during IVF, including acupuncture the day of embryo transfer, which may increase your chances of getting pregnant.  

Acupuncture can help regulate menstrual cycles of women with PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and endocrine condition that isn’t completely understood by scientists. If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, you may have irregular periods or periods where you don’t release an egg, so you may struggle with infertility. Scientists have found that acupuncture can help modulate hormone levels and aid the return of menstrual cycles and ovulation. It’s a safe treatment for PCOS. 

Call DH Acupuncture or book an appointment online today to learn more about how acupuncture can serve as an aid in fertility treatment.