Holistic support throughout your fertility journey
Ruth has been supporting people on their fertility journey for over 15 years. Traditional acupuncture is increasingly seen as the ‘complementary treatment’ of choice in fertility support whether natural or assisted.
Stress and hormonal imbalances are frequently considered as factors in fertility problems and evidence shows that acupuncture assists female fertility by reducing stress levels, balancing female hormones and improving blood flow to the uterus.
Acupiuncture may also assist with male fertility issues such as poor sperm morphology, motility or low sperm count. Ideally, both partners are treated with acupuncture
Evidence suggests that infertility issues such as high FSH levels, irregular menstrual cycles, PCOS and endometriosis may be helped by acupuncture as it:
- increases blood flow to the uterus (which aids thickening of the endometrial lining and aids implantation)
- increases ovarian blood flow (resulting in better ovarian response and more mature follicles)
- reduces stress and anxiety
- regulates the menstrual cycle, reduces pre-menstrual symptoms and period pain
- supports ovulation
- lessens the side effects from hormone treatments
- increases male sperm count, motility and morphology
What happens at your initial consultation
Your fertility history is unique and will be discussed at your first consultation which can last up to 90 minutes. You will be asked about your medical history and other key lifestyle factors such as emotions, diet and exercise. Your tongue will be observed as it maps your internal health.
You will then lie down on a couch and fine acupuncture needles will be inserted into different parts of your body (acu-points). You rest for 20 minutes or so.
How many treatments will you need for natural fertility support?
This varies from person to person. Ideally regular acupuncture treatment over 3 months is recommended. Followed by a review. Weekly treatment over a couple of months is optimum but not always possible. This would be discussed at your first appointment.
Acupuncture for IVF/ICSI support
We commonly recommend that you start your acupuncture treatments 3 months prior to starting your IVF/ICI cycle - as sperm and follicle cycles are 100 days to maturation. This is the ideal, however any acupuncture is better than none.
Once IVF has commenced we base your treatment schedule on your IVF plan. Often weekly treatments are recommended until the day of embryo transfer when we schedule two treatments as close to the transfer time as possible- one before and one after. A follow up appointment is recommended 7 days post transfer.
For up-to-date information on Ruth's acupuncture services visit her revised website at www.ruthirvingacupunctureyoga.co.uk
