Fertility Support
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for addressing fertility in both women and men
Acupuncture for Female Fertility
Christiane has been treating pregnant women, those trying to conceive, and those undergoing IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), and egg freezing for more than 16 years. Her years of experience as a doula and close ties to New York-area gynecologists, midwives, reproductive endocrinologists, and obstetricians have expanded both her knowledge of the female reproductive system and the scope of what fertility treatment can look like.
Beyond Christiane’s own success at facilitating a healthy birth, research demonstrates that acupuncture can increase the chances of pregnancy and birth among women undergoing IVF or IUI and among those receiving acupuncture for conditions that can interfere with getting pregnant (e.g. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, endometriosis, fibroids, amenorrhea, blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, etc.). Acupuncture is often recommended for pregnant women or couples trying to conceive to reduce overall stress levels, which can affect reproductive hormones and help balance the systems of your body.
Treatments for fertility will vary depending on your particular needs, but often include traditional needling, Gua sha, cupping, customized herbal formulas, and/or lifestyle and dietary changes. Christiane typically implements a three-month treatment plan, with treatments scheduled weekly or bi-weekly during those three months.
Acupuncture for Male Fertility
When addressing infertility, many practitioners treat the female partner only. However, research has shown a significant improvement in sperm morphology and motility after a course of acupuncture and complementary TCM therapies. Whenever possible, Christiane prefers to treat both partners concurrently to improve the chances of conception.
In addition to reducing stress and increasing blood flow to the reproductive system, acupuncture works as an anti-inflammatory aid and relaxes the circulatory networks, providing semen with necessary nutrients to support its integrity. It can also assist with sperm maturation by increasing naturally-occurring levels of testosterone.
As with female patients, the health history and lifestyle habits of males trying to conceive are enormously important as they can impact the health of sperm. These include, but are not limited to: smoking, recreational drugs, alcohol, steroid supplementation, nutritional deficiencies, long-term stress, and exercise regimens.
A comprehensive intake with both partners will enable Christiane to tailor a treatment plan that supports the couple throughout the conception process. Generally, a three-month commitment to weekly acupuncture and herbs is recommended, but any amount of time can be helpful.
Acupuncture and Natural Conception
Understanding which issues make natural conception more difficult is the first step to tailoring a treatment plan to any patient or couple. An extensive intake, as well as a possible review of prior lab work or medical procedures, will aid Christiane in customizing your individualized plan.
Acupuncture and/or herbs, Gua sha, cupping, and in some cases, dietary changes will help balance out your hormones to regulate your menstrual cycle and ovulation. Additionally, because it increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, TCM can open up an opportunity for conception that may not have existed before.
Issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, blocked fallopian tubes, PCOS, and some cases of amenorrhea can be effectively treated with TCM, thereby increasing the likelihood of natural conception. However, Christiane also treats women with “unexplained infertility” and those who may not be conceiving as fast as they’d like. Treatment length will depend on the severity of each patient’s concerns. Whenever possible, treating both partners is ideal.
Acupuncture and IUI
Acupuncture treatment during an IUI cycle can help optimize your body for conception and boost chances of pregnancy by enhancing egg and follicle health, increasing blood flow to the ovaries, and relaxing the uterus. Treatment can also decrease the side effects of fertility medications and address uterine spasms that may occur after your IUI procedure.
Your plan will be tailored according to your cycle, with a focus on regulating ovulation and balancing your hormones. Ideally, treatment should begin one-to-three months prior to the IUI to help improve the quality of your eggs and bring your body into balance. However, if starting this early is not an option, you can begin treatment at any point during the cycle. Whenever possible, treating both partners is best.
Acupuncture and IVF
Acupuncture can begin at any point in your fertility treatment: prior to oral or injectable drugs to help prepare the body; during the process to help you manage side effects such as nausea, changes in mood, or fatigue; on the day of your embryo transfer; and after IVF cycles are complete to help your body restore. Several sessions of acupuncture during the process are recommended, including twice a week during the stimulation phase.
Christiane recommends beginning treatment one-to-three months leading up to a patient’s decision to move to IVF. This balances out hormones, increasing the likelihood of optimal results during IVF treatment. If possible, patients can also try to conceive naturally in that time. Because of her extensive experience working with different clinics and protocols, Christiane is more than happy to work with one’s reproductive endocrinologist.
Demonstrated benefits of acupuncture during IVF include:
Reduced stress: Because the implantation of embryos is negatively affected by stress and auto-immune factors, stress can reduce IVF success rates. Acupuncture increases levels of endogenous opioids, including endorphins and serotonin, and reduces cortisol and adrenaline levels, decreasing this impact of stress on IVF success rates.
Immune boost: Acupuncture improves T-cell and cytokine levels, helping women remain healthy during the IVF process.
“Relaxed” uterus: Post-embryo transfer contractions have been shown to reduce both implantation and pregnancy rates. Acupuncture not only helps to reduce stress and calm your mind, but also helps reduce pain in the abdomen, which could impact IVF success.
Electro-acupuncture: Electro-acupuncture, or electrical stimulation, may help to improve blood flow in the uterine arteries of infertile women. Acupuncture has also been shown to affect the levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones; adding electrical stimulation to traditional needling can help deepen this effect.
To determine the best course of treatment, Christiane will conduct a comprehensive intake of your history and lifestyle and, with your permission, may discuss treatment options with your fertility doctor.
Acupuncture and IVF Transfer Appointments (Before & After)
Research has demonstrated increased success rates for IVF when acupuncture is administered around the time of transfer because of its ability to increase blood flow to the uterus, regulate hormone levels, reduce contractions, and balance the nervous system.
Christiane recommends a 30-minute treatment within 24 hours of your transfer. This appointment will include acupuncture and may include other modalities such as cupping or electrical stimulation. Some acupuncture points will focus on calming your nervous system, which also relaxes the uterus and helps decrease cramping and contractions. Other points will help improve circulation of blood to the uterus to create a thicker uterine lining.
Within 24 hours after your embryo transfer, it is recommended you receive another 30-minute TCM treatment. This treatment will also focus on relaxing your nervous system and circulating additional blood to your uterus to help prevent contractions, nourish the newly-implanted embryo, and improve the chances of a successful implantation.
Acupuncture and Egg Freezing
Acupuncture, herbs, and other tools of TCM help create the ideal conditions for healthy egg development by balancing out hormones, increasing blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, and calming your nervous system. This facilitates the production of as many healthy uniform eggs as possible.
As with IVF, Christiane recommends starting treatment one-to-three months prior to the retrieval; however, patients can come whenever they’d like during the cycle. Weekly treatments leading up to stimulation, followed by twice weekly treatments during the actual stimulation phase, is suggested. Continued treatment immediately following the retrieval will further your recovery and healing process.
Acupuncture and Donor Egg Support
Using donor eggs during IVF protocol can be a difficult and emotionally-sensitive process. If you’ve arrived at this decision, your treatment will focus on preparing your uterus and body for embryo implantation, balancing your hormones, regulating your nervous system, and improving circulation. Beyond these benefits, fertility acupuncture has also been shown to influence the HPO axis, the collective term for the glands that influence the hormones that control female reproduction.
Christiane recommends receiving weekly treatment for one-to-three months before egg implantation, and then twice weekly a few weeks prior to your transfer. Treatment is also recommended during your first trimester to assist with any side effects of pregnancy.
Fertility FAQs
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When it comes to fertility, it’s never too early to start acupuncture. Your acupuncture sessions will be tailored to the current phase of your cycle at the time of treatment.
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Yes, regular acupuncture treatments can support the early stages of pregnancy and should be done weekly for the for 8 weeks of conception.
After a positive pregnancy test, there are certain points we want to avoid and certain points we want to include to help hold the pregnancy. Please inform your acupuncturist of any positive pregnancy tests.
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Yes, acupuncture can support the success of all types of reproductive interventions. Please read the above information on your particular course of fertility treatments for detailed explanations.
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Yes, acupuncture can help relieve unwanted side of effects of fertility drugs such as fatigue, mood imbalances, headaches, nausea and bloating.