Fertility Acupuncture in Ottawa is an innovative treatment option to help support fertility treatments: conventional and natural treatment cycles.
Fertility Acupuncture is different from traditional acupuncture as it utilizes newer treatment protocols based on available evidence. The use of acupuncture, specifically for Women's health, fertility, and obstetric/gynaecological health has already gained significant momentum in the last few years and more research continues to support its use for patients.
The main take home points about acupuncture are: it has been shown to help improve success rates for fertility treatments, it has a very high safety profile with low-risk of harm, and it can help to reduce stress and anxiety associated with fertility treatments.
How Does Fertility Acupuncture Work?
There are three main mechanisms through which fertility acupuncture can help support you in getting pregnant:
1. Hormonal Balance: fertility acupuncture helps to increase the production of B-Endorphins in the nervous system. These endorphins have been demonstrated to increase the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland in the brain. This increase in FSH and LH leads to increased natural estrogen and progesterone levels produced by the ovaries. These hormones help to support the lining of the uterus and improve implantation. Acupuncture has also been shown to reduce the stress hormone: cortisol. High levels of cortisol in the body have been demonstrated to decrease the quality of the uterine lining, making it less healthy, and reduce the likelihood of implantation. Acupuncture therefore will help to reduce the production of this stress hormone and support fertility.
2. Improves Blood Flow to the Uterus and Ovaries: acupuncture helps to improve blood flow to the reproductive organs. This has been demonstrated by using a doppler ultrasound in Women before and after fertility acupuncture and there is a visible increase in blood flow to these organs. The improved blood flow has been hypothesized to increase fertility by providing more nutrient fresh blood and directly supporting the thickness and health of the uterine lining.
3. Reducing Uterine Muscular Cramps: the use of fertility acupuncture before, during, and after fertility treatments may help reduce the cramps in the muscle wall of the uterus, thereby potentially reducing expulsion of an embryo after fertilization or a transfer occurs.
Additional Benefits of Fertility Acupuncture Reported
Most patients that receive fertility acupuncture also report 2 very important findings: firstly they feel like they have more control over their own fertility and reproductive wellbeing. Putting yourself in a position where you can support your body's fertility during fertility treatments is empowering, as the typical fertility process makes a lot of people feel quite powerless since the decisions and outcomes are usually out of their control. Secondly, they report feeling very relaxed and less-stressed by the end of the treatment. It is very helpful to be able to have these kinds of stress breaks both for mental and physical wellbeing!
This article is in no way a replacement for medical advice or medical care, it is advised that anyone concerned about their Health should speak with their Naturopathic Doctor.