INFERTILITY

As many as1 in 7 couples now have difficulty conceiving naturally. There are many factors contributing to this problem. Obesity and sexually transmitted diseases are a factor as is the decision to leave starting a family till later. Peak fertility occurs at 21-25 for both men and women. By the age of 25 this reduces to a 75% chance of pregnancy within 6 months in women. By 30, this decreases to a 47% chance and by 40 this has reached a 25% chance of conception.

In any couple there is a 40% chance that the infertility lies with the man, 40% chance that it lies with the woman and a 20% chance that it is a combination of both. 

Acupuncture can been used to increase a couple’s chance of conceiving either on its own or, increasingly, as an adjunct to IVF treatment. Several large studies have shown that using acupuncture increases the success rate of IVF treatment. There are some links to recent research on this topic on the research page of this site.

Whether or not the patient has a medical diagnosis of what is hindering the conception, the acupuncturist will take a full case history and make a diagnosis from a Chinese medicine perspective. The acupuncturist will certainly aim to bring about improvements in the menstrual cycle if there are any irregularities and also help the patient deal with any stress or anxiety that they are experiencing. These changes alone can increase the likelihood of falling pregnant. The full diagnosis may show other areas of the patient’s health and well being that can be improved with acupuncture and the acupuncturist may also be able to make suggestions about simple changes in diet and lifestyle that could further help the situation.

For any couples trying to conceive, here is a useful article about diet and fertility.

If you have any further questions about this subject please do not hesitate to ask. We will be happy to answer any queries. Email us at info@woodlandsacupuncture.co.uk and we will aim to respond within 24 hours. If you live in the Manchester area, you can make an appointment for a free 15 minute chat with the acupuncturist to find out how acupuncture could help you.