Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine - Any experience?

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Hi ladies,

I am currently on Day 49 of cycle and still havent ovulated. This is normal to my cycle and can sometimes be up to 90 days.

My GP advised me that she has lots of positive feedback about acupuncture so I have booked a consultation with my local chinese medicine practioner. He advises that they may treat with acupuncture but would look at other options too. Just wondered if there was anyone with any experience they could offer me?

Thank you in advance all :)

[StuffedOwl]

I haven't seen a Chinese medicine practitioner, but I am having acupuncture for ttc. I've only had a few sessions (fortnightly) but this month I ovulated on day 15, normally I ovulate on day 21 with a 28 day cycle, so I am optimistic

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

That's a great sign isn't it owl Do you mind if I ask what you are having acupuncture for if you have regular cycles?

Thank you for your reply too & I feel optimistic for you! :)

[allchatnicknamesgone]

I've just started acupuncture after a failed ivf. Secondary infertility and no other probs. regular cycle and no pcos…
I know that it does claim to regulate cycles / hormones etc. I had a session last week before ovulation and had some pins in abdomen to apparently increase blood flow to the region.
Also, had a bad cold/sinus' so she popped some pins in my face. So I'm looking at that as value for money :)
I'll keep an eye on this thread to see other news. A lot of women have it to complement ivf.

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Hi allchat Sorry to hear about your recent IVF attempt.

That's very kind of them to help your cold too! Def value for money!!

I am looking forward to consultation as I haven't had much luck with other things like vits or herbals such as agnus castus. For my GP to recommend also, I am hopeful.

Is it painful at all? And are you able to carry on with your normal day? Secondary fertility also so don't get much relax time with dd and dancing, drama and the rest of it! Haha x

[StuffedOwl]

I already have 2 DC, but it's 12 months and a miscarriage since ttc number 3. As I ovulate so late in my cycle I think that any egg that is fertilised doesn't have time to implant (short luteal phase). I also hoped acupuncture would make me less stressed about my situation. And I do feel very relaxed after each session. It doesn't hurt as the needles are so thin. Good luck x

[allchatnicknamesgone]

Hello.

It's not painful at all really. They get you to take a deep breath then they tap it in. I had nine in total. Only 2 hurted tiny bit. One in my toe and one in my face (but that's because of sinus being blocked).

More importantly I liked the lady. Loved the studio and I felt safe and looked after. I'm hoping she can be a bit of a sounding board too as I embark on a fet.

To be honest, it just feels good doing something positive and it does have a success rate. My lady told me 75% of couple will be pregnant within 6 months. Now that is pretty impressive. I'm praying I'm not going to get to 6 months though.

Oh yes and completely able to carry on with day. I just jumped in car. She said some people feel a little 'out there', but I honestly didn't feel any different (hope that doesn't mean anything!).

Good luck. Hope you enjoy it. Look forward to it rather than being anxious. It's a good experience. X

[photographerlady]

first cycle I had acupuncture (with clomid) was the cycle I got my BFP. If I could afford it I would start sessions again as I am TTC #2.

I had about 2-3 sessions a week for the entire length of my cycle.

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

I hope it helps with you stress owl - god knows anything would be nice to reduce stress in our positions!

Yes allchat it's really hard to be positive sometimes but drawing some positivity from it! I forgot to mention that I am an utter wimp so I'll prob come back saying "OMG it kills!" Haha. I will have to update you! He hasn't definitely said if it will be acupuncture yet but I'm hoping so - he says we'll discuss all available options on Friday?! I hope I'm as lucky as you & have a nice person. And great statistics!! Fingers crosses for you!

photographer that's a great positive story! I hope the previous acupuncture has lasting effects to help you with #2! Can I ask how long your cycle was? I'm day 50 today & still can't seem to ovulate x

[TheTruffleHunter]

I was given some pretty whiffy herbal teas to drink in conjunction with my weekly acupuncture sessions and my cycles settled down pretty quickly. This was a year or so before TTC tho so couldn't say how quickly I might have conceived otherwise.

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Haha truffle where they from a Chinese medicinal doc (I think I made that name up - I will have to find out what they really are on Friday!) It took me 2 years to adjust and actually enjoy green tea only to find out 4 months later that it is no good for preparing for ttc as washed out folic acid! Just my luck!

[allchatnicknamesgone]

you won't even flinch.
come and tell us how you get on.x

[icy121]

Sorry to be a party pooper but it did nothing for me! By the end I was convinced she randomly filled me with needles, left the room to laugh for 20 mins, before coming back!

But so many people have positive experiences so I wouldn't say don't try it. Just didn't work for me!

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Sorry to hear that icy - you must have had an awfully unprofessional experience! Good to hear both sides tho.

Did you only have 1 attempt?

[photographerlady]

My cycles were 45+ days until I started acupuncture and 28/29 days on the cycles I was having 2x a week acupuncture sessions.

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

That's fab photographer I hope I get the same kind of results!

allchat I have just had my first session and couldn't be more amazed! It's worth it even just for the relaxation factor. I haven't felt so relaxed in many months. And he also told me this, he said my stress levels were through the roof! So glad I have started and booked in for the next 3 months with ovulation supplements too! Feeling positive! X

[CorporateRockWhore]

I haven't used it for fertility reasons, but I have twice used it for an anxiety thing, and it zapped my issue in about 6 sessions each time.

It's massively relaxing, quite therapeutic and it really, really doesn't hurt. (Well apart from in the palm of the hand, that bloody hurt)

Sometimes I came out feeling pretty knackered, sometimes really vital and full of energy.

Good luck, I hope it works for you.

[Didiusfalco]

There was a really good Q&A on here a few months back, I think it was with a group of doctors from 'sense about science' and me and a few others asked about acupuncture and the response seemed to be that there was no evidence to back up that acupuncture helps conception. I've talked to a consultant about it too and he told me that the evidence shows that it is doing 'something' that makes a psychological difference - could be acupuncture, or lighting candles, a relaxing bath - whatever your thing is. I decided I couldn't justify the expense, and needed to find a cheaper 'thing'!

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

corporaterockwhore - fantastic name by the way! I'm going to be back and abdomen so I hope he'll stay away from the hands. You are so right. I feel like a different person, so relaxed and calm! Thank you :)

didius I am normally a person of the same frame of mind about being psychological effects. But that hasn't worked for me so far & I've decided to try to be more open minded & give alternative things a go. I hope you have found something that you can relax with and something that will help you too! hopefully I will have good reason to justify this expense as it was also a big pay out for me too. Until then I am going to enjoy the peace and the little massage at the end (and decide which credit card company I am going to need! Haha) x

[Readyforthefuture]

First time on here, but I had to share

We've been ttc for 2 1/2 years, I've tried pretty much everything. 2 months of acupuncture with Chinese herbs, personally I found it quite stressful, not that the needles hurt, I just felt tense, and the herbs were disgusting. I had a two week break (because of holiday) and realised how much I dreaded it.

So then I moved onto reflexology, which is so relaxing (4 months so far), I've also started complimenting this with hypnotherapy and reiki. In addition I now have crystals around all major electrical appliances to absorb any 'radiation'. I wear as much red as possible around ovulation too.

Hopefully something will make the difference, but if not I'm certainly more relaxed and positive

Good luck

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Hi ready - absolutely appreciate that this is not for everyone! I like the idea of the crystals absorbing radiation. Funny you should mention that, I am booked in with a reflexologist next week. Fingers crossed! Lots of luck your way!

[chloechloe]

Hi there. Has your doctor looked any further into why your cycles are so long? You might want to press for some more testing, as well as going down the complementary route.

I had acupuncture during my first IVF cycle and got pg on the first attempt. I have PCOS with cycles up to 90 days and my body just doesn't gear up to ovulate like it should do at all. On the cycle I had my embryos put back (I had a frozen transfer) an ultrasound scan showed that I was about to ovulate, which my RE was mega surprised about. I think it was really down to the acupuncture.

It's really really important to find a practitioner who specialises in fertility though. I was lucky to hit on a great one right away. But don't be afraid to shop around if you think they don't have the expertise in this area or if you don't feel comfortable.

For me the acu didn't hurt at all, it was really relaxing. I also had Chinese herbs which taste disgusting, but you get used to them!

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Hi chloe

Wow, lovely to hear your story and so glad it was successful for you!

Have been seeing GP and I have been referred to gynae as all of my have come back normal. Both PCOS tests/FSH/LH/Prolactin are all fine. No history of STI, have dd #1 aged 9 now. My body just doesn't seem to hear up to ovulate either - I have been using opks every day religiously since day 9 and am now on cd52. I have occasionally had a faint line in the test window but nothing nowhere near strong enough to indicate ovulation. It's so frustrating!!

I'm a bit concerned as I didn't shop around for a 'fertility expert' as I didn't realise there would be such a thing, I thought acupuncture would be an expertise area in itself. However, I feel completely at ease with my practioner, he made me feel extremely comfortable and seemed to know what I was asking for and what he would do. I think I will just ask him about his experience in fertility when I see him next.. I think the most important thing is my comfort and trust in him right now. Even my DH has said that this is the most relaxed and content he has seen me in months, I also had a lovely sleep last night and I only had my first session yesterday. I sometimes find it hard to be positive about getting pregnant but for the first time, I am daring to be positive about this.

I am picking up my herbs next week - building myself up for the taste as I'm not the best with things like that haha, thank you for the forewarning! X

[allchatnicknamesgone]

Hi cantbelieve. So pleased that you enjoyed it and you are nice and relaxed. I wouldn't worry about the 'fertility' expert thing. sometimes, I think they gear themselves towards being 'fertility' experts because it's such a lucrative market. I think if you like him and enjoy the experience, then that is a great thing. I've had 2 sessions now. Honestly can't say I feel any different though and don't find it hugely relaxing, but I've never been that into relaxing. I find lying straight every so slightly uncomfortable for long period of time and also really concentrate of keeping still so I don't move needles! I also get really cold, but I always have cold hands and feet anyway!
x

[NewLeafExpat]

I tried acupuncture weekly for about 2 months and it didn't help. I also had five days of the most revolting Chinese herb medicine which I had to have with a spoonful of sugar after downing it honestly it was soooo bad.
my acupuncturist was a Chinese old lady at a Chinese medicine place And I was treated with Chinese theories ie, my problem was cold inside, chi this and that etc, not based on western oh she doesn't ovulate and has thin uterine lining.

anywhoo, I didn't find it did anything after giving it a go for Two months although I might try again since I've had Two months break from it now and willing to try anything.

[Thistledew]

I came off the pill at the beginning of this year and my periods just didn't show up.

I have had all the conventional NHS tests, hormonal, pelvic scan and progesterone and they have all come back normal, apart from the scan showing I had a thin uterine lining.

I got to day 100 of my cycle and had one session of acupuncture. 6 days later I got a period. For various reasons I didn't go back for more treatment and again I got to over 100 days without a period. I then signed up for a course of treatment, and again within about 5 days of my appointment I got a period. I initially had treatment every week, then every fortnight, and I'm now going for top ups every month.

Since the first treatment in this course I have had cycles of 35, 22 and 25 days.

I have just had acupuncture with needles and with localised heat treatment. My therapist then left me with little plasters with micro needles on a few of the main acupuncture points, which I keep on for a week after the treatment. No herbs.

It is possible that my cycle would have sorted itself out anyway, and I'm sure it would have done eventually, but I feel that the proximity of my period arriving to each time I have started treatment is more than a coincidence. I do feel pretty spaced out for a couple of hours after treatment and wouldn't like to attempt anything that needed a huge amount of focus, but otherwise I am able to get on with my day as normal.