Fertility Talk: Can acupuncture boost your chances of pregnancy?

updated the 8 May 2018 à 17:16

Struggling to get pregnant? Here’s why you and your partner may want to consider acupuncture.

If you and your partner have been struggling to conceive, you are not alone. An estimated 15% of couples in Singapore fail to conceive within 12 months of trying for a baby, with numbers of couples seeking assisted reproduction cycles (ART) rising each year.

Unfortunately, fertility treatments like in-vitro fertilization (IVF) tend to be costly, tricky and with varying effectiveness. Which is why many couples have turned to other methods as either an alternative or to complement their ongoing treatments.

An unlikely – but popular – form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is slowly gaining popularity when it comes to boosting fertility: acupuncture.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a probably the most popular and recognised alternative treatment for those trying to get pregnant. Couples are turning to acupuncture to boost the success of their ongoing fertility treatments (e.g. oral hormones, IVF) to promising results.

In treating fertility issues, it involves inserting hair-thin into specific acupuncture points on the body – which, according to tradition, run along the body’s lines of energy. (Fret not – the needles may sound intimidating, but they feel like an ant’s bite.) Couples are also recommended Chinese herbal medicine on top of the actual acupuncture, which strengthens the uterus, increases sperm count, correct any hormonal imbalances and improve their overall health.

Acupuncture & Fertility: What is the Link?

According to TCM, infertility is the result of a hormonal imbalance, which is what acupuncture seeks to correct by stimulating the various pressure points along the body.

In doing so, it helps to stimulate egg production, regulate ovulation and menstrual cycle, while also ensuring that a woman’s endometrial lining is sufficiently thick to allow the embryo to implant. According to research, it also improves a couple’s chances of conceiving by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs.

So, Is It Worth a Shot?

Now, unlike other common fertility treatments, acupuncture involves both men and women when it comes to addressing reproductive issues. For men, going for regular sessions helps boost their stamina and well-being, which improves the couples’ chances of pregnancy.

Despite the hype, its benefits still remain largely anecdotal, with studies on its effectiveness still limited. The general consensus is that there are no proven detriments of acupuncture and that its powerful ability to help you de-stress and relax is well-documented. Which is why if this is a route you’re considering, it’s certainly worth a shot.

Sarah Khan

Photo: Getty Images

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Marie France Asia, women's magazine