Acupuncture for fertility

[A1b2c3d4e5f6g7]

I've just started acupuncture and am two sessions in. Was wondering if anyone had any experiences on it they could share, and how long its worth continuing it for?

@Angie887 I also feel the same 100%, I don't think I would have appreciated a successful pregnancy / having a baby without going through this and im trying to take that positive from this whole situation. Also being able to talk to others about our struggle and help normalise it for others is something I hope I can at least help my friends with. It is definitely easier said than done but it is possible and I'm the same about wanting things, no patience whatsoever if I don't get it immediately 😂 so this has definitely tested me.

Thank you, I hope so too ❤️ I've not been this positive throughout, I hit a really low low a few months ago, had to take time off work and take action to change my frame of mind, I'm so thankful that it has paid of in terms of me feeling so much better mentally.

@Hdujsjdjdbru that's super lucky and amazing that acupuncture seemed to help, congratulations 🤗

@angie887 ahh ok - my acupuncturist said to me it can take up to 3 months for everything to balance out, so maybe months 4-6 might be the best ones where you're at optimal...err...status? Balance? Environment? 🤣

Trying since March 2020 🙈 but when it hadn't magically happened by 6 months I started properly looking at my cycles and we weren't necessarily trying on the 'best' days, and my husband works away sometimes, which always seemed to cross over with ovulation haha, so I started tracking properly... had maybe 10/11 'good' tries all told so still relatively early days (I'm still in F the FSH results mode, got my fighting gloves on today!)

I think @choccrumpet is right though, I 100% bumbled into this assuming I'd be pregnant in 6 months tops, but the longer it was I'd mention it to friends/work colleagues and all of a sudden you find out all these things and dont feel so alone 😊

P s. @choccrumpet those lines are AMAZING x

@beckyCarlos I thought that we'd get pregnant first try (well we did but it ended in a chemical) but you know what I mean. Had NO idea it would take a while. Everyone else made it seem so easy. Spoiler alert: people don't talk about their struggles 🤦🏼‍♀️ so I'm trying to be as open as I can about our experience, there's no reason to hide anything.

And thank you 😭 they're the strongest lines I've ever had, taking that as a positive but very much aware of what could happen.

@choccrumpet exactly! Im very lucky to have a couple of friends who are very open with their struggles. Once I know for sure whats going on with us I'm committed to being vocal about it...similar thing happened when I had CIN2 detected at my first smear, noone I knew had every had that, the nurse told me it was HIGHLY unusual at my age, etc. But...its not! And only by being open do we find things out and realise we're not alone 🥰

@beckyCarlos I wouldn't worry about fsh as this isn't a raliable hormone to take any conclusions. Both fertility clinic I've been to didn't even bothered checking them. Amh and scan are much more efficient at giving an insight about ovarian reserve. Fingers crossed our turn to get our BFP will be soon 🤞🤞

[quote Angie887]@beckyCarlos I wouldn't worry about fsh as this isn't a raliable hormone to take any conclusions. Both fertility clinic I've been to didn't even bothered checking them. Amh and scan are much more efficient at giving an insight about ovarian reserve. Fingers crossed our turn to get our BFP will be soon 🤞🤞[/quote]
Thanks Angie 💕 to be fair the consultant said it was 'alarming' (but I'm not getting hung up on that, he had an eccentric turn of phrase throughout the conversation, and its not at menopausal levels 🤣) but didnt suggest we should be overly concerned given my age and said we'd review after the others so I'm keeping a lid on my stressing till then (or trying anyway haha) x

@beckyCarlos Your consultant needs some updating. Most doctors know that amh and scan are much more efficient to measure ovarian reserve than fsh. Don't be afraid to always seek a second opinion if you're not totally satisfied. When are you doing your scan and amh test ?

I learned my lesson and if I suspect that anything is happening I'll always seek a second or third opinion. I was going back and forth to my GP for the past couple of years with bleeding issues and they're saying it was Dysfunctional bleeding and there was no treatment for it. Only when I decided to go a fertility clinic that they found out I had fibroids. Suffice to say I completely lost confidence in the healthcare system.

Today I've been to an acupuncture session and she put a heat lamp over my belly. I read somewhere that heat can interfere with implantation on case of conception. I'm 8 dpo today and I found that a bit concerning but my acupuncturist reassured me it was fine.
Has Anyone ever had this heat lamp?

@Angie887 I've had the heat lamp used on me once but I'm sure it was earlier in my cycle and before ovulation. I don't know if it's safe to use after ovulation. I don't even know who you could ask unless you can contact another acupuncturist! I would tend to trust my acupuncturist but not sure what kind of relationship you've got with yours, if you've been seeing them for a while. Sorry that's not helpful

Thanks Angie, he immediately referred me for the the ultrasound and AMH (still pending any info, am calling the admin team on Mon as I'm still pending consent forms too). I've read all the info that says FSH isn't reliable and the other two are much better so there is hope! I've had random second half of cycle spotting too and had an ultrasound for that at the start of the year, no fibroids or any cause 🙄 but the acupuncture has (so far, cycle 1 lol) stopped that, currently 5dpo and it would normally have appeared by now).

Ive only ever had the heat lamp over my feet to keep them warm! X

I’ve just had my first fertility-focused acupuncture session after TTC for 20 months. I also have very regular cycles, normal period, no PMS, blood tests show that I’m ovulating and male factor has been given the all clear. My acupuncturist seems to think my blood flow may be slightly off as she was feeling around my stomach, monitoring my pulse and put the needles predominantly in my toes and legs. She also recommended I start taking some Chinese herbs (Tao Hong Si Wu Wan). Just wondering if anyone else has been prescribed/taking any Chinese herbs?

@Idieh05 its not a service mine offers, but I have heard its a great compliment to acupuncture so it sounds like youre to a good thing 😊 fingers crossed you feel some benefits. How did you find the session? X

@beckyCarlos

Thanks Angie, he immediately referred me for the the ultrasound and AMH (still pending any info, am calling the admin team on Mon as I'm still pending consent forms too). I've read all the info that says FSH isn't reliable and the other two are much better so there is hope! I've had random second half of cycle spotting too and had an ultrasound for that at the start of the year, no fibroids or any cause 🙄 but the acupuncture has (so far, cycle 1 lol) stopped that, currently 5dpo and it would normally have appeared by now).

Ive only ever had the heat lamp over my feet to keep them warm! X

There are many conditions that can cause spotting. Fibroids for example can be hard to spot depending on the location and where you're in your cycle. But if acupuncture stopped that maybe it could be a hormone imbalance so that's a good thing. Keep us posted about results x

After my session with heat lamp yesterday I had a massive BBT spike this morning. I'm 9dpo and I decided to test BFN. Big mistake😭. I was feeling positive but not anymore. Feeling so disheartened with so many BFN month after month 😢

@idieh05 I haven't been prescribed or taken any Chinese herbs but heard of others doing so. My acupuncturist was also trying to encourage better quality blood flow to my uterus as it felt colder down there, less welcoming for a pregnancy. She recommended I drink nettle tea which has multiple health benefits including something to do with blood flow I think?

@Angie887 9DPO is still early! I only saw a faint line on mine and many others don't see anything until a few days later. The bbt spike is positive 🤞🏼 you're not out until you get your period so hoping for you!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 it starts with the egg is here and I just wanted to say thank you so much for the recommendation 🥰 I'm only on the case study in 'how BPA impacts fertility' and I'm in such a better headspace than I was on Friday (time, space, and a lot of music have also helped). The book is easy to read and gives simple tips that seem achievable. As with acupuncture, I know there are no guarantees but it fits right in with my 'lets give my reproductive organs the best chance' method of operation.

Thank you again x x x

Hey everyone

I'm due to have my first acupuncture session tomorrow and because I've never been for anything like this before I don't know what I should wear!

Whereabouts do the needles go or does it differ depending on where you are in your cycle?

Any tips would be appreciated!

Thank you :)

@TBF29 I was advised to bring shorts to wear as the needles went in my feet, legs, wrists, stomach, head and ears.

@tbf29 I'd go with shorts or a long skirt you can pull up 😊 I wore gym leggings first time but they wouldn't roll up far enough so I had to take them off and was there in my pants and a towel (kinda like at a massage) but the room was cozy and I felt comdy. my first time was only a few points, tops of feet, by my knees, betweenthumb and forefinger and middle of forehead I think. Hope you have a lovely experience! X

@TBF29 I wore tracksuit bottoms to most of mine but they were loose enough to be pulled up to my knees and rolled down my waist for access to my stomach depending on where I was in my cycle. Basically something comfy and stretchy! Dresses and shorts work well as well apart from if they want access to your stomach, a dress might be awkward for that! Hope you enjoy your session 🤗 the needles are intimidating but not sore.

@beckyCarlos how are you getting on?

@sabtom @beckycarlos @choccrumpet

Thanks for your help everyone, that's really useful :)

@choccrumpet much better thanks 😊 session yesterday was just what I needed, and its definitely helping with PMS, so in terms of giving my body the best chance I feel like its definitely worth it for me.

How are you getting on?? X

@beckyCarlos that's so good! Mine isn't until next week 😭 have you resisted the urge to test?

I'm doing well thanks, although am quite tired most days so that's a bit tough. So far so good though so that's positive. Trying to enjoy the warm weather but a bit difficult with work 😅

@choccrumpet haha me too, becuase I'm still wfh I'm all like 'ooh my watch has buzzed telling me I've not moved in an hour...does moving to sit outside for 5 mins count, and will anyone call me while I'm doing this...' 🤣

Tbh I hadnt thought about it till you mentioned it 😂 I am 9dpo though...normally I'm spotting by now so I just dont bother until the morning AF is due fully just to make sure (mainly so I can have a gin/prosecco and toast to success next month)... might give it till Friday... I do have what seems like a thousand internet cheapies in the cupboard...