Acupuncture for Fertility in New York City

Acupuncture is a safe, effective and drug-free choice that has been proven in various medical studies to increase conception when combined with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and other Western fertility treatments.  According to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal in 2008, acupuncture is thought to help improve fertility in three ways:

1) Acupuncture may mediate the release of neurotransmitters, which may in turn stimulate secretion of gonadotrophin releasing hormone, thereby influencing the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertility.
2) Acupuncture may stimulate blood flow to the uterus by inhibiting uterine central sympathetic nerve activity.
3) Acupuncture may stimulate the production of endogenous opioids, which may inhibit the central nervous system outflow and the biological stress response.

To read the full study, Click Here.

*Metropolitan Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine is the official acupuncture and herbal medicine practice for the renowned Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine in New York City.
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FAQ about Acupuncture and Infertility

  1. When combined with IVF, when should acupuncture treatments begin for increasing fertility?
  2. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, how can acupuncture and Chinese medicinals help improve fertility?
  3. Can acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine improve fertility without undergoing conventional Western medical treatments?
  4. When not utilizing Assisted Reproductive Technology, when should acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments commence for improving female fertility?
  5. Can acupuncture treatment benefit male infertility? If so, when should treatment begin?

Question: When combined with IVF, when should acupuncture treatments begin for increasing fertility?

Answer:

Recent studies suggest that acupuncture treatments on the day of embryo transfer significantly increase conception rates. However, since acupuncture has a cumulative effect on the body, it is recommended that sustained acupuncture treatments begin between 8 and 12 weeks before embryo transfer to maximize your IVF cycle.

Question: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, how can acupuncture and Chinese medicinals help improve fertility?

Answer:

1) Acupuncture and Chinese medicinals help to improve ovarian function by increasing blood to that region of the body. This allows for the development of better quality eggs and strong, healthy embryos.

2) Acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus. Studies indicate that increased blood flow to the uterus can help promote follicular development and encourage implantation of the embryo.

3) Acupuncture and Chinese medicinals can help the ovaries respond better to the hyper-stimulating drugs thereby allowing for the production of more follicles.

4) Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can regulate estrogen and progesterone levels which can augment the lining of the uterus for proper implantation.

5) Acupuncture strengthens the immune system. Since approximately half of chemical pregnancies miscarry, one of the treatment goals is to boost the patient’s immune system using acupuncture and herbs.

6) There are high levels of physical and emotional stress associated with trying to get pregnant. Acupuncture and herbs are very effective in reducing stress and alleviating the side-effects of the hyper-stimulating medications, which help the patient to be calm and relaxed.

7) Acupuncture treats the root cause of female infertility and many other gynecological conditions that contribute to infertility such as irregular menses, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes and PCOS.

Question: Can acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine improve fertility without undergoing conventional Western medical treatments?

Answer:

Yes, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be a safe, effective and cost-saving choice for improving fertility and addressing root causes of both female and male infertility before commiting to more expensive and physically-taxing medical procedures.

Acupuncture and herbs can positively impact your chances to conceive in drug-free and non-invasive way. This knowledge has been known among Chinese physicians for over two-thousand years and is now being widely accepted by Western medicine as well.

Question: When not utilizing Assisted Reproductive Technology, when should acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments commence for improving female fertility?

Answer:

Acupuncture treatments can begin at anytime for the treatment of female infertility. However, because acupuncture has a cumulative effect it is preferable to have sustained acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment for at at least 8 to 12 weeks.

Question: Can acupuncture treatment benefit male infertility? If so, when should treatment begin?

Answer:

Yes, according to several studies, one of which was published in the July, 2006 issue of Fertility and Sterility, the treatment of idiopathic male infertility can benefit from employing acupuncture. Since there are few Western medical treatment choices for male infertility, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can offer a safe, drug-free and non-invasive method to promote combined fertility for a couple.

Preferably, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment should commence as soon as possible, i.e. 10-13 weeks before the semen collection, since sperm usually take between 70-90 days to mature and to allow the cumulative effects of the medicine to accumulate. Ideally, one or two treatments, per week, should be administered leading up to the semen sample to maximize male fertility.

To read about the latest research on acupuncture and infertility for women, Click Here.  For men, Click Here.

 

 To schedule an appointment or to discuss your condition:
Call 347.565.4255 or email: info@metropolitanacupuncture.com
Michael Bennett, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)
Michael Bennett is a Licensed Acupuncturist in New York and and New Jersey. He holds a Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine at Touro College and a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Neuroscience from Lehigh University. As a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), Michael is nationally board-certified to practice acupuncture and herbal medicine.

*Metropolitan Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, LLC is the official acupuncture and herbal medicine practice for the renowned Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine in New York City.
Office Hours
Monday 8:30AM-6:30PM
Tuesday 8:30AM-6:30PM
Wednesday 8:30AM-6:30PM
Thursday 8:30AM-6:30PM
Friday 8:30AM-3:00PM
Sunday 9:00AM-5:00PM

*By Appointment Only.
Contact Us
Metropolitan Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
425 Fifth Avenue, Third Floor
New York, NY 10016
(Entrance At The Corner of 38th St. & Fifth Ave.)

Office: 347.565.4255
Fax: 646.274.0600