Follow-up sessions continue to optimize fertility by providing techniques to increase blood & circulation to reproductive organs, release fertility mindset blocks, toxicity assessments and fertility charting basics if indicated at this natural fertility center with acupuncture.

If you are doing this in conjunction with IUI or IVF, acupuncture sessions are recommended prior to starting a cycle, once a week when the cycle starts, and as close to IVF transfer or IUI as possible. Clients have chosen various combinations of day before, day of beforehand, day of afterwards, and/or day after), and optional during 2-week wait period to help with stress.  If Dr. Lee does not have any prior engagements, she will come into the office on weekends if you need acupuncture around IVF transfers or IUI.  She will also come into the office earlier than 9am if your procedure early and you would like acupuncture on the same day prior.  Both partners benefit from acupuncture especially if there are male infertility factors at this natural fertility center.

Since hormones typically take 3-6 months to balance, this is the average time it takes to get pregnant naturally.  If you are not ovulating, have PCOS, or diminished ovarian reserve, it may take up to a year at this natural fertility center with acupuncture.  Progress varies depending on how you apply your recommendations.

Acupuncture and herbs help to improve ovarian and follicular function.  Acupuncture increases blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining. “It can allow you to cross the line from infertile to fertile by helping your body function more efficiently, which in turn allows other, more modern reproductive treatments, like IVF, to also work more efficiently,” says James Dillard, MD, assistant clinical professor, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and clinical adviser to Columbia’s Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

In a study of 160 women, published April 2002 in the reproductive journal Fertility and Sterility, a group of German researchers found that adding acupuncture to the traditional IVF treatment protocols substantially increased pregnancy success. Magarelli and Cridennda released findings in Italy involving clients with an average prognosis for IVF success. Those yielded clear numbers that the pregnancy rate increased with acupuncture by 24%, according to Magarelli.

What types of infertility typically get acupuncture?

Acupuncture can be used for infertility conditions such as spasmed tubes, hormonal imbalance including elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with anovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation, low sperm count, motility, or morphology (acupuncture for 3-6 months).

What’s the best timing of fertility acupuncture in Lancaster, PA?

Those interested in conceiving naturally should ideally plan for 3 months of acupuncture before trying.  It takes 90 days for new eggs to form. During this period, you can improve the health and quality of eggs that are preparing for ovulation.  Clinical evidence has shown that clients who get acupuncture 1-2 months before an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer, and continued during the process have improved rates of success.  That way when the woman’s cycle begins, her hormones are restored, strengthened, and balanced.

In the beginning, acupuncture can be done anywhere in your cycle as your whole cycle is geared for baby-making:

• Period helps the uterus to shed the lining completely to prepare for a new cycle
• First half of the cycle promotes follicle/egg growth and ovulation, and supports the growth of the uterine lining for implantation later on
• Around ovulation helps the release of the egg from the ovary for sperm to fertilize it
• Second half of your cycle supports the fallopian tubes to help the fertilized egg travel towards the uterus, thicken the uterine lining even more, and the fertilized egg to implant to the uterine lining.

Thus, acupuncture is beneficial throughout all parts of your menstrual cycle for fertility.  Once we get to know your cycle better, we may look at targeting specific areas that may need extra support.

When should I stop getting acupuncture?

Typically most miscarriages occur within the first 3 months of pregnancy. Therefore, acupuncture may often last through week 12 to lower the risk of miscarriage for factors that can be affected (genetic or structural defects cannot be changed by acupuncture).  Acupuncture throughout pregnancy is optional.

What are the risks of using acupuncture?

There are minimal risks when using acupuncture for infertility.  Licensed acupuncturists train in contraindicated acupuncture points when a woman becomes pregnant.

How does fertility acupuncture work in Lancaster, PA?

• Improve sperm quality and counts in infertile men
• Optimize lining of the endometrium, including increasing the blood flow to the uterus
• Help regulate hormone levels, specifically gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn may improve ovulation rates
• May help women with PCOS and anovulatory cycles
• Support thyroid, as thyroid issues can lead to problems with fertility
• Increase the number of follicles produced during an IVF cycle

In studies published in the journal Fertility and Sterility in 2002, Chang, along with Cornell University reproductive endocrinologist Zev Rosenwaks, MD, found a clear link between acupuncture and the brain hormones involved in conception. Chang says acupuncture has a neuroendocrine effect, impacting a three-way axis between the two areas of the brain involved with hormone production and the ovaries, which ultimately impacts egg production and possibly ovulation.  Their research noted that acupuncture increases production of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel good” brain chemical that also plays a role in regulating the cycle.  Acupuncture is also a stress-reliever during an emotional time.  Part of acupuncture’s success is relaxation. When the body is relaxed, all systems function better.

A paper in Social Science and Medicine stated ineffective coping strategies, anxiety, or depression are associated with lower pregnancy rates.  Stress reduction through relaxation training or behavioral treatment improves conception rates.

“Acupuncture works to restore blood flow and circulation. So with regards to infertility, it has a calming, restorative effect that increases a sense of well-being and ultimately helps the body to accept the creation of life,” says Ifeoma Okoronkwo, MD, a professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/acupuncture.htm

http://www.acupuncture-treatment.com/infertility_faq.html

Research Study Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Combining Acupuncture with IUI

A comparative retrospective study of 123 women aged 28-46 years old, undergoing IUI, at a hospital.  Women who received weekly acupuncture, had higher pregnancy and birth rates, compared to those who did not.

Research Study Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Combining Acupuncture with IVF

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials with 5598 women, demonstrates that acupuncture, especially around the time of controlled ovarian stimulation, improves pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF, compared to no acupuncture or placebo acupuncture groups.

A study of 100 women undergoing IVF/ICSI, had an acupuncture group receiving acupuncture before and after embryo transfer, and the control group with no acupuncture.  The pregnancy rate was 46% in the acupuncture group versus 26% in the control group.

Clinical pregnancy rates for women receiving acupuncture before and after IVF embryo transfer resulted in 39% compared to 26% for women with no acupuncture, and ongoing pregnancy rate of 36% compared to 22% with no acupuncture.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials with 1366 women undergoing IVF, compared acupuncture within 1 day of embryo transfer either before or after, with sham or no acupuncture.  Acupuncture given around embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing IVF.

Acupuncture 2-3 days after IVF embryo transfer, has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI according to a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study of 225 women.  116 women receiving acupuncture 2-3 days post embryo transfer, resulted in a clinical pregnancy rate of 33.6%, and ongoing pregnancy rate of 28.4%, compared to 109 clients that received placebo acupuncture, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 15.6%, and ongoing pregnancy rate of 13.8%.

Adding acupuncture 2 days post IVF embryo transfer, did not seem to make a statistical difference compared with just receiving acupuncture before and after embryo transfer, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 36% and ongoing pregnancy rate of 26%, compared to 39% clinical pregnancy rate and 26% ongoing pregnancy rate for women just receiving acupuncture before and after transfer.

Why Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine has helped countless men and women resolve fertility challenges and conceive safely and cost-effectively.  Naturopathic doctors look at each person as unique, and guide couples in improving fertility.  Appointments cover medical history, nutrition, physical activity, environmental exposures, sleep patterns, and psycho-emotional stressors.  You can expect a conversation about your lifestyle, menstrual cycle, and what you have been doing to try to conceive.

There are a wide variety of reasons a couple may have difficulty. Although some receive a diagnosis from conventional doctors, many have ‘unexplained fertility.’

Fertility challenges can be caused by poor sperm health, poor egg quality, hormonal imbalances, impaired metabolism, and more.  Naturopathic doctors train in lifestyle and environmental factors, a number of root causes of infertility. There are many safe, natural, and effective lifestyle therapies that can improve your chances of getting pregnant.

With training in clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine and more, naturopathic doctors help empower clients to make lifestyle changes.  Preconception care has been shown to enhance fertility, both for couples conceiving naturally and those using reproductive technology.

Naturopathic medicine cultivates a healthy body first to maximize pregnancy success and nourish the growth of a healthy baby.  The journey to pregnancy can feel like a physical and emotional roller coaster. Naturopathic medicine provides a high level of emotional and psychological support at this natural fertility center with acupuncture.

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