Acupuncture - does it work?

[IfAtFirstUDontSucceed]

Hi
DH & I have been TTC#1 for nearly 3 years and had 1 MC.

I've heard that accupunture can help when TTC, however, my friend who is also having difficulty has read that is can actually have an adverse affect.

Have any of you tried accupuncture?
What were your experience/any success stories?
How did you go about making an appointment etc? Where did you go?
Any if it's not too rude to ask, how much did it cost?

Thanks!

[minxi]

Hi I had accupuncture, I had two DS's and then had the depo injection - a year later my dh and I decided on a third and three and a half years in were contemplating ivf - I went to see an accupuncturist specialising in fertility and he had been recommended - I had weekly sessions for about 10 weeks (cheaper than ivf which I was booked in to see consultant) didn't need it as fell pg.. I thoroughly recomment it!
In fact I then fell pregnant beginning this year which was a total shock and surprise as no3 only 9 months - after the shock had scan and had mmc at 12 weeks, had an erpc three months ago and have now decided that we do want another one - have been back to see accupuncturist as cycles all over the place and have had one session and this cycle completely normal... I think its rather amazing - good luck!!

[DuelingFanjo]

Hi there. I had accupuncture while having IVF and one thing it did do for me was make me feel very chilled out. I did get pregnant but not sure if the Acupuncture was partly responsible or not. I had been trying for 2 and a half years and had had a miscarriage.

It cost me £40 a session nd £65 for the first consultation. I just looked online but you might find recommentdations on the fertility friends forum as they have boards dedicated to different areas in the UK.

To make an appointment I emailed the acupuncturist and asked if they did acupuncture for fertility. Some acupuncturists don't and I think it's best to go to someone who does have that specific knowledge.

Good luck, I know how hard it is.

[SE22]

Hello
I agree with Duelingfanjo - makes you chilled out. Especially after the embryo transfer. My consultan says it doesn't work but is good for relaxation but I know lots of people who would swear by it. My period pain got much better after acupuncture.
I'd recommend finding someone who is a specialist in fertility. Try Zita West - really expensive but very good. Otherwise I used someone local to me in SE22 who was fabulous and fertility focused).
You also want to think about whether to take herbs or not. I've got several friends who felt that made the difference to their fertility! It is essential to see a really wel qualified acupuncturist and not one of those shops on the high street.
Good luck!

[angels1]

I had accupuncture when I came off the pill to help with my manic hormones that caused me terrible headaches/dizziness for months.

I must admit, I don't know if it helped that much. The lady I saw came highly recommended from a friend, but maybe it's something that works for some and not others.

My experiences of accupuncture was to have maybe 30 or so needles put all over my body (my hands/arms/feet/legs/head/stomach/back etc) and she would leave me with the needles in lying down for 1/2 - 3/4 hour before coming back to take them out. I think the whole experience was suppose to be relaxing (that is, the 'resting' bit), but I found it frustrating not being able to move or itch for fear of hurting the needles (as she put a blanket on me) and looking at the ceiling and how it needed a good clean and paint (that's probably just me!). I also felt slightly annoyed that she'd have 2 people 'on the go' at the same time (ie - as she left me to rest, she'd get her next customer in the next room, then when she'd finished with me), especially as sometimes I'd become uncomforatble with how the needles dug in but I couldn't ask her to help so had to lie with discomfort for 1/2 hour till she came back...but maybe I just had a bad experience.

I since discovered reflexology, which costs me the same per session (I think it's £35) but the therapist spends the whole time massaging my feet - so I also feel like I get more for my money as the whole thing is more relaxing and improved my hormones so much more. I'm not sure if reflexology can help with ttc, but it's worth a look, as I'm a total convert

[InMyPrime]

I'm having acupuncture sessions at the moment as we've been TTC for 9 months now without success so far and I've been having very irregular periods and hormonal swings. I've been referred to the fertility clinic for further tests but it might take a while to get an appointment and I'd rather conceive naturally if I can so I thought I'd give acupuncture a go.

So far, it's been a good experience. I'd agree with other posters - it's not a miracle cure and if there's a fundamental problem you'll still need to see a fertility specialist / gynaecologist BUT I have found it has balanced my moods more, relaxed me and eased a lot of annoying symptoms I've been getting like bloating, period pain and back pain. I'm seeing a fertility acupuncturist and she's very good and has had lots of general advice about TTC, not just acupuncture-related. At times, I can't help having a sneaking suspicion some of this alternative stuff is aimed at parting desperate TTC-ers from their money as part of the therapy they recommend involves buying nutritional supplements etc. But overall, it's been useful to try and hasn't been too expensive (£28 per session). At least I can feel I'm doing something while waiting for an appointment with the specialist.

Just google 'fertility acupuncture uk' and you should get details of practitioners in your area. That's how I found my acupuncturist.