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Acupuncture for Infertility

Learn more about acupuncture and infertility

Although it is not exactly clear how stress affects fertility, our Dallas fertility specialists know that reducing stress can improve quality of life for men and women as they face the challenges of infertility. To help combat stress, more women are turning to acupuncture for infertility.

The basics of acupuncture for infertility

Acupuncture is an alternative medical treatment that originated in China thousands of years ago. The practice involves placing thin needles into the skin to stimulate specific points on a person’s body. Each point stimulated during acupuncture can help treat different mental and physical conditions.
Supporters of the ancient treatment recommend acupuncture for infertility. Specifically, the proponents suggest that acupuncture can help with infertility in the following ways:

However, the literature is mixed about how effective acupuncture is at treating infertility. Our DFW fertility specialists have found that acupuncture doesn’t hurt pregnancy rates, but it also may not improve them without additional fertility treatments. Ultimately, if a hopeful parent finds that acupuncture alleviates their stress, our DFW fertility specialists support the patient’s decision to undergo acupuncture treatment.

What to expect at an acupuncture appointment

Acupuncturists often recommend that women start acupuncture three months before they begin fertility treatments. Hopeful parents should speak to one of our DFW fertility specialists before they begin acupuncture. Additionally, patients should not take any herbal medications without first consulting with their physician because such medications can potentially impact the success of fertility treatment.
At the first appointment, the acupuncturist will ask the patient questions about lifestyle, health history and fertility concerns. The acupuncturist may also examine the patient’s tongue and take their pulse. The next step is the treatment, which can last 30 minutes to one hour. The patient will generally return for treatment sessions one to three times a week. How long a person continues acupuncture varies based on individual factors, but the acupuncturist will continue to assess the patient’s progress at each session.
Most people find that acupuncture is relatively painless, but some people might experience mild aches or pains at the site of the needle. In some cases, a person can also experience minor bruising. However, most people do not experience any significant discomfort or side effects from acupuncture.
If you have questions about supplemental fertility treatments, including acupuncture and infertility, please contact our DFW fertility specialists for an appointment.