Accupuncture to aid fertility and conception

[Shootforthestars]

Hi
Has anyone tried accupuncture to help with fertility and conception?
I've just suffered my 3rd miscarriage (chemical pregnancy) previous miscarriages were summer 2018 and abandoned 2019. I suffer from PCOS so it takes a while to get pregnant. We can now start investigations because of 3 recurrent miscarriages but I'm trying to be proactive so have booked in for accupuncture after doing some research and feeling a bit apprehensive about it but would love to hear other people's experiences.

Hi there, I also have PCOS and ended up doing IVF. I did acupuncture throughout with a very knowledgeable lady who was also able to advise on diet changes also. At the time, I was sceptical and to an extent will never know if that helped my IVF be successful but I have certainly recommended it to others. You have nothing to lose by trying it. Good luck!

If it actually worked it would be able to be proven scientifically. You could save the money and spend it on tests/investigations if needed at a later date perhaps?

As an acupuncturist I can say from my own experience (personally and professionally) that it does help.

There is lots of research which proves this but is usually considered to be ‘low quality’ research. This is usually because you can’t run a double blind trial on acupuncture! Additionally there really is zero funding for large scale research because it doesn’t benefit a large drug company so most of the research is only on small cohorts of patients.

If you’d like me to recommend someone please drop me a message.

@WestOfWestminster There's plenty of scientific evidence that acupuncture can help fertility problems. Just go on google scholar and look it up.

Why not compare something like miscarrige rates in people who've had acupuncture against people who haven't? I get that drug companies wouldn't necessarily get much from funding loads of high quality research but acupuncture associations could fund some, as surely if it worked well and could be proven then more people would do it or NHs might start funding it?

@TinaMummy lovely to hear a success story. Overall did you find it benefited you health wise?
@Berrystraw @Stupidquestion1 I've been researching the last few days and every I've come across is really positive for overall health as well so not really got anything to lose.
@WestOfWestminster unfortunately they wouldn't do testing previously but i will get testing now that I've had 3 miscarriages. I know natural and alternative therapies aren't for everyone but may as well try it out

We are really fortunate that we have a soon to be 11 year old. So I know I can get pregnant and can carry to term. I think a lot of it could be hormonal

Wishing you the best for your next pregnancy, and sorry for your losses too. Sounds like you've got going for you in terms of getting pregnant & your 11 year old so really hope next time it works out well for you. Good luck!

Yes I did acupuncture with both successful pregnancies. I think I struck gold with a lovely lady who was also amazing to talk to, she became like my counsellor. The 2nd pregnancy I conceived literally within a couple of visits. Yes it could be coincidence but I am forever grateful. I also had no morning sickness with both pregnancies, I continued going up to 12 weeks as it can help with symptoms. We had been trying for over 3 years 2nd time.

There’s plenty of research. You only need to check out Cochrane or have a Google. The problem is with the quality of the research (a technical research term) because of the small cohorts and inability to blind a trial. Each trial has a JADAD score which acupuncture will always score low on because of this.

Unfortunately not every healing modality fits the Western way of measuring effectiveness.

I know it’s easier said than done but acupuncture is truly nothing to be afraid of. Almost all of my patients find it deeply relaxing and get lots of wonderful ‘side effects’ such as feeling much more relaxed, better sleep, improved mental health. Like you said, nothing to lose. Best of luck with your journey - my own infertility journey is what led me to become an acupuncturist myself x

Sorry to jump on this thread but what is the best way to find a good acupuncturist for fertility? I have PCOS and conceived DD1 with letrozole. We'd like to start trying for #2 and I'm more open to trying other things before heading down the drug route again. Im in SW London if that makes any difference? Is there an association or qualification i should look for? Google is a minefield

@WestOfWestminster thank you

@WimbyAce that's amazing! So nice to hear successful stories. And amazing how quickly you conceived after starting accupuncture

@Berrystraw aw that is so good to hear although I'm apprehensive I'm looking forward to it

@AnotherNC22 I'm in Scotland, I googled and did a bit of research the same lady kept popping up she's also an independent midwife and specialises in fertility and has over 19 years experience in accupuncture. I kind of went with my gut instinct 😬 first session is next Thursday but I'll post how I get on. I'm rhe same though I will take medication if I need to but really wanted to give this a go. I think @Berrystraw does accupuncture, they may be able to help with how to find someone? I found that fertility accupuncturist were few and far between.

Hi @AnotherNC22

Look for an acupuncturist who has either a Lic.Ac or degree. Both are 3 year full time degree level. Make sure they are a member of the AAC or BACC. They don’t need to be a fertility ‘expert’ and you definitely don’t have to pay the top whack that people like Gerard Kite or Zita West charge. Around £50/60 a session is the most you should have to pay in London. Almost all acupuncturists are fully trained to be able to offer fertility treatment.

Good Luck

I did acupuncture during my failed ivf cycle where I did not produce a single egg.
My successful cycle I didnt do any acupuncture and am now 26 weeks pregnant.
I enjoyed the acupuncture at first but after a year I felt I couldn't justify the money when we had to go private for ivf.
It can be a nice escape but not sure if there is any real benefit to it other than mentally?
If you have the time and money I would say why not. Lots of luck xxxx

Hi, afterr 2 rounds of ICSI, 1 failed and 1 miscarried, ı had reflexology as was terrified of needles (yes, even after all the injections involved;with IVF).

Had natural.pregnancy which we unfortinately lost but gave us faith that we coild conceive.

As ı waş 40 decided tontake 1 year off any treatment and get our bodies in the right place and spent the next few months having accupuncture.

On our 3rd ICSI attempt ı had more eggs harvested than previous attempts and DHs sperm count was a lot higher which resulted in a healthy pregnancynand our daughter.

I strongly believe that accupuncture helped us and ı would higjly recommend it to anyone on this journey.

I phoned around a few accupuncture clinics and asked whether they had any areas of special interest and was advised by a receptionist that the lady we ended up going to was known as 'The Baby Doctor' ... she certainly was

If anything, I'm finding it the only time I can fully relax whilst going through my infertility struggles. I don't know if its purely time allowed to lying down on a bed with some nice background music on where I cannot physically move because I have a load of needles sticking out of me or something else, but either way I'm loving it 😂

I’m an acupuncturist and my patients success rates with IVF/ICSI/insemination are far far higher than the national average. At a conservative guess I would say 80% gain a positive test with 60% having a live birth. More often than not they are complex cases with several previous failed rounds. It works wonderfully.

@Berrystraw as an acupuncturist can I ask you about a particular treatment (not for conception)? I will try to send you a direct message.

With my second I struggled for a year to get get pregnant. I did acupuncture for 8 weeks and boom! I don't know if it was psychological or not, maybe just stress reliving and felt like I was actively doing something, but either way I swear it worked for me

Hi joining thread. I'm 42 partner 39. I have 2 boys age 8 amd 10 from first marriage. Me amd partner been ttc for 2 years. One pregnancy resulted in mc @ 7 weeks July 2023. Am booked in for accupuncture next week. Partner fit healthy male. I'm a bit overweight but very active. We desperate for a.child of our own. This thread is giving me hope that we will conceive naturally. Ivf really isn't an affordable option for us..any one in same age bracket going through this.?