Fertility Acupuncture Denver, CO
How Acupuncture Helps Infertility
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine in use for thousands of years, is a safe and effective treatment for a diverse variety of conditions when performed correctly. Women who suffer from infertility issues may benefit from acupuncture, which can help increase blood flow to the reproductive organs. Learn more about acupuncture, and find out how this ages-old practice can help you achieve your dearest dreams.
Enriching the Endometrium
The lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, thickens monthly in most women of childbearing age. This prepares the uterus for a possible embryo implantation. If an embryo is not implanted, the thickened lining sheds monthly — an event more commonly described as menstruation.
Unfortunately, many women who desire pregnancy are unable to successfully implant a fertilized egg (embryo). Some proceed to in-vitro fertilization, a costly, emotional and occasionally time-consuming process that improves the chances of pregnancy. Increasingly, however, women are turning to acupuncture as both an alternative to IVF and also to enhance their chances of achieving pregnancy while completing an IVF regimen. Regardless of whether or not you choose to proceed with IVF, acupuncture may enhance the likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy. Acupuncture, as well as the herbs acupuncturists use during visits, help the uterus build a thick lining — increasing the likelihood of pregnancy both naturally and via IVF, according to Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons clinical adviser James Dillard, MD. In fact, an April 2002 study found that complementing IVF with acupuncture enhanced successful pregnancy outcomes by 25 percent, according to Fertility and Sterility, a reproductive journal.
Will Acupuncture Work for You?
Acupuncture has been shown to aid in certain infertility conditions, such as repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, spasmed tubes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hormonal imbalances (including FSH) and luteal phase defect in women. In men, acupuncture can help improve sperm count and motility, DNA fragmentation and morphology. In addition, the Fertility and Sterility study noted a direct connection between neural hormonal activity and acupuncture — which could potentially affect ovulation.
Additional Benefits
Although western scientific practice does not fully understand how Traditional Chinese Medicine works, part of the success of acupuncture may relate to the relaxed feelings it produces. The journal Social Science and Medicine notes that depression, anxiety and ineffective coping strategies all negatively affect the likelihood of pregnancy. A stress reliever such as acupuncture can improve well being by restoring mental calm — ultimately helping the body accept new life, according to Ifeoma Okoronwo, medical professor at New York University’s School of Medicine.
Acupuncture for Fertility in Denver, CO
If you’re interested in learning more about effective fertility treatments in the Denver, CO area, contact Dr. Junou Cheng of the Fan Acupuncture Clinic. Dr. Cheng has more than 15 years of clinical experience in Traditional Chinese and western medicines, specializing in infertility and other women’s health issues. She has trained with many of the world’s most respected Traditional Chinese medicine doctors, including Dr. Baozhang Ma, Dr. Sun Shen-tian and Dr. Fujing Duan, and graduated from Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A published author of numerous books and journals on the subjects of fertility and acupuncture, Dr. Cheng’s goal is to help as many couples as possible give birth to healthy babies. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cheng, and learn more about acupuncture for fertility in Denver, CO.