What is infertility?
Around one in seven couples may have difficulty conceiving (HFEA, 2012). Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive despite regular unprotected sex. 93% of couples will conceive successfully within 3 years, after which the likelihood diminishes to around 25% (NHS, 2014). Often the female assumes responsibility for fertility issues but in fact about 1/3 cases are due to male factors such as a low sperm count and roughly 1/3 of cases are ‘unexplained’.
When should I seek help?
This will vary. Fertility declines with age (female and male), and this process happens more quickly for a female after her mid thirties so older women may wish to seek help more quickly. After one year of ‘trying’ without success it is worth seeking advice from your GP or if you have any specific health concerns, or a history of illness which is likely to have affected your fertility eg a history of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or ongoing problems with the menstrual cycle.
What causes infertility?
There are many possible factors affecting fertility and in roughly 1/3 of cases these factors are not able to be identified. Some of the common causes are:
Is there anything I can do for myself?
There are many things couples can do to improve their chances of fertility and an overwhelming choice of information and support. At Belfast Community Acupuncture we make some simple individualised recommendations based on our training in Chinese Medicine, perhaps around stress reduction, diet or lifestyle, while referring people to sources that we and our clients have found useful. See ‘further reading’
How Acupuncture May Help
Acupuncture is a popular therapy for enhancing fertility. Much research has focused on acupuncture as an adjunct therapy during IVF. Acupuncture may form part of a fertility plan, to improve general and reproductive health for natural conception, or while waiting for IVF to reduce stress and improve quality of the endometrium, egg and sperm quality, or during IVF to reduce stress and the side effects of treatments. Generally most acupuncturists would try to schedule an acupuncture appointment before and after embryo transfer if possible, to help reduce stress and uterine contractions. You can learn more from the British Acupuncture Council research factsheet (see ‘further reading’ below).
The Cochrane Review (which draws conclusions based only on clinical trials according to strict criteria) states that although there is evidence that acupuncture is safe and does not involve risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, there is a lack of properly designed studies to be able to be conclusive about the efficacy of acupuncture. Note the disadvantage of this database is simply a lack of evidence of efficacy, which is not the same as evidence that it is ineffective!
So in conclusion we can say that acupuncture may improve the chances of successful conception as it appears to have a positive influence on some of the factors which influence fertility such as the regulation of hormones, stress factors and parasympathetic activity which influences arterial blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
It is important to note that acupuncture alone is not as effective as acupuncture in conjunction with management of other factors such as a balanced diet and regular exercise (appropriate to the individual) and management of stress.
Belfast Community Acupuncture
Belfast Community Acupuncture is a ‘Community Multibed’ clinic, treating more than one person at a time in the same room, using blankets and tall standing room dividers for privacy. The advantage of this system is our sliding scale rates so that regular visits are far more affordable.
Mary and Emma are both trained in acupuncture ‘general practice’ with some further specializations following qualification. Emma has also gone on to study acupuncture as an adjunct therapy to IVF at the Acupuncture Foundation in Dublin (2012). Fertility is a complex area and the information and research is updated regularly. At Belfast Community Acupuncture we do not currently promote our business as a specialist acupuncture fertility clinic, as we treat a wide range of conditions and fertility is only a small part of our day to day clinic. We do however regularly treat women for menstrual irregularities, for the many manifestations of ‘stress’ and in a supportive role alongside conventional treatments for fertility. All of our treatments and every acupuncture point are chosen based on a rationale, drawing on information from our training, clinical experience, the available research, and the consensus among fertility specialists.
How Many Acupuncture Treatments Would I Need?
The traditional literature recommends about 3 months to regulate a natural cycle, so the way we approach fertility and indeed all cases is to monitor response to acupuncture over the first 4-6 weeks. There should be improvements in stress levels, regulation of the cycle, pms signs, digestion and general health, and these are encouraging signs, whereas an absence of any kind of improvement would be discouraging. An improvement shouldn't occur suddenly, you should see small improvements quickly. We would encourage you to book for a minimum 3 or 4 treatments before deciding if acupuncture is for you, however if you wish to try it just once we are more than happy to accommodate this.
A warm welcome awaits!
Further reading
References:
HFEA (2012) About Infertility, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Available from http://www.hfea.gov.uk/infertility.html [accessed 14/09/2014]
Preconception stress increases the risk of infertility: Journal of Reproductive Medicine (2014) 29 (5): 1067-1075. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deu032, First published online March 23 2014, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24664130
NHS Choices (2014), Fertility Causes, NHS, Available from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Infertility/Pages/Introduction.aspx [accessed 14/09/2014]
Stener-Victorin E, Humaidan P (2006). Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer. Acupunct Med. 2006 Dec;24(4):157-63
Stener-Victorin et al (1996). Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Human Reproduction vol.11 no.6 pp.1314-1317, 1996
Around one in seven couples may have difficulty conceiving (HFEA, 2012). Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive despite regular unprotected sex. 93% of couples will conceive successfully within 3 years, after which the likelihood diminishes to around 25% (NHS, 2014). Often the female assumes responsibility for fertility issues but in fact about 1/3 cases are due to male factors such as a low sperm count and roughly 1/3 of cases are ‘unexplained’.
When should I seek help?
This will vary. Fertility declines with age (female and male), and this process happens more quickly for a female after her mid thirties so older women may wish to seek help more quickly. After one year of ‘trying’ without success it is worth seeking advice from your GP or if you have any specific health concerns, or a history of illness which is likely to have affected your fertility eg a history of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or ongoing problems with the menstrual cycle.
What causes infertility?
There are many possible factors affecting fertility and in roughly 1/3 of cases these factors are not able to be identified. Some of the common causes are:
- Ovulatory disorders (eg Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, thyroid disorders)
- Problems with the fallopian tubes or uterus (eg scarring from surgery, history of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, uterine fibroids, endometriosis)
- Stress (may lead to longer time to conceive and reduced fertility) (JRM, 2014)
- Low sperm count, or poor quality or mobility of sperm
- A history of trauma (injury), infection or disease to the testes.
- Lifestyle factors (alcohol, weight, smoking, recreational drugs, nutrition etc)
Is there anything I can do for myself?
There are many things couples can do to improve their chances of fertility and an overwhelming choice of information and support. At Belfast Community Acupuncture we make some simple individualised recommendations based on our training in Chinese Medicine, perhaps around stress reduction, diet or lifestyle, while referring people to sources that we and our clients have found useful. See ‘further reading’
How Acupuncture May Help
Acupuncture is a popular therapy for enhancing fertility. Much research has focused on acupuncture as an adjunct therapy during IVF. Acupuncture may form part of a fertility plan, to improve general and reproductive health for natural conception, or while waiting for IVF to reduce stress and improve quality of the endometrium, egg and sperm quality, or during IVF to reduce stress and the side effects of treatments. Generally most acupuncturists would try to schedule an acupuncture appointment before and after embryo transfer if possible, to help reduce stress and uterine contractions. You can learn more from the British Acupuncture Council research factsheet (see ‘further reading’ below).
The Cochrane Review (which draws conclusions based only on clinical trials according to strict criteria) states that although there is evidence that acupuncture is safe and does not involve risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, there is a lack of properly designed studies to be able to be conclusive about the efficacy of acupuncture. Note the disadvantage of this database is simply a lack of evidence of efficacy, which is not the same as evidence that it is ineffective!
So in conclusion we can say that acupuncture may improve the chances of successful conception as it appears to have a positive influence on some of the factors which influence fertility such as the regulation of hormones, stress factors and parasympathetic activity which influences arterial blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
It is important to note that acupuncture alone is not as effective as acupuncture in conjunction with management of other factors such as a balanced diet and regular exercise (appropriate to the individual) and management of stress.
Belfast Community Acupuncture
Belfast Community Acupuncture is a ‘Community Multibed’ clinic, treating more than one person at a time in the same room, using blankets and tall standing room dividers for privacy. The advantage of this system is our sliding scale rates so that regular visits are far more affordable.
Mary and Emma are both trained in acupuncture ‘general practice’ with some further specializations following qualification. Emma has also gone on to study acupuncture as an adjunct therapy to IVF at the Acupuncture Foundation in Dublin (2012). Fertility is a complex area and the information and research is updated regularly. At Belfast Community Acupuncture we do not currently promote our business as a specialist acupuncture fertility clinic, as we treat a wide range of conditions and fertility is only a small part of our day to day clinic. We do however regularly treat women for menstrual irregularities, for the many manifestations of ‘stress’ and in a supportive role alongside conventional treatments for fertility. All of our treatments and every acupuncture point are chosen based on a rationale, drawing on information from our training, clinical experience, the available research, and the consensus among fertility specialists.
How Many Acupuncture Treatments Would I Need?
The traditional literature recommends about 3 months to regulate a natural cycle, so the way we approach fertility and indeed all cases is to monitor response to acupuncture over the first 4-6 weeks. There should be improvements in stress levels, regulation of the cycle, pms signs, digestion and general health, and these are encouraging signs, whereas an absence of any kind of improvement would be discouraging. An improvement shouldn't occur suddenly, you should see small improvements quickly. We would encourage you to book for a minimum 3 or 4 treatments before deciding if acupuncture is for you, however if you wish to try it just once we are more than happy to accommodate this.
A warm welcome awaits!
Further reading
- British Acupuncture Council Research Factsheet (Female Fertility) http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/female-fertility.html
- British Acupuncture Council Research Factsheet (Male Fertility) http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/male-infertility.html
- Factsheet on Acupuncture and Fertility (American Fertility Association): http://www.theafa.org/article/how-can-acupuncture-help-fertility/
- Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority factsheets: www.hfea.gov.uk
- Infertility Network UK: http://www.infertilitynetworkuk.com/
- NHS factsheets: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/fertility/Pages/Fertilityhome.aspx
- ‘Zita West Clinic’ http://www.zitawest.com/
References:
HFEA (2012) About Infertility, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Available from http://www.hfea.gov.uk/infertility.html [accessed 14/09/2014]
Preconception stress increases the risk of infertility: Journal of Reproductive Medicine (2014) 29 (5): 1067-1075. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deu032, First published online March 23 2014, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24664130
NHS Choices (2014), Fertility Causes, NHS, Available from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Infertility/Pages/Introduction.aspx [accessed 14/09/2014]
Stener-Victorin E, Humaidan P (2006). Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer. Acupunct Med. 2006 Dec;24(4):157-63
Stener-Victorin et al (1996). Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Human Reproduction vol.11 no.6 pp.1314-1317, 1996
