Fertility Acupuncture
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Fertility challenges are increasingly common today, affecting approximately 1 in 8 couples. For those looking to improve their fertility naturally, Chinese medicine offers an evidence-based, holistic approach that boosts fertility while improving overall health and wellness.
Dr. Virginia Mims has been helping women improve their fertility naturally since 2007. A fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), she is the only certified fertility acupuncturist in the Lexington area, and one of only four in Kentucky. Dr. Mims offers acupuncture for infertility as part of her holistic women's health and wellness practice. When to use acupuncture for fertilityAcupuncture and Chinese medicine can be an important part of your treatment at almost any point in your fertility journey. Women typically seek out acupuncture for fertility in one of the following three scenarios:
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Read Dr. Mims’ recent article,
"Boost Your Fertility Naturally with Acupuncture & Herbs". What's the process?While the specific treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, the basic process of fertility acupuncture involves:
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How does it work?
Chinese medicine is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world and has been used to treat infertility for thousands of years. Possible mechanisms include:
- Directly increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
- Improving the lining of the uterus
- Improving sperm quality and quantity
- Regulating hormones to improve ovarian function
- Inducing regular ovulation
- Improving implantation
- Reducing stress, anxiety, and depression
- Addressing underlying health issues
Am I a good candidate for fertility acupuncture?
Different patients have different needs. Herbal medicine and acupuncture for fertility may be the right approach for you if:
- you prefer natural medicine
- you are having difficulty conceiving, but do not yet want to try IVF
- you have “unexplained infertility”, “functional infertility”, or "subfertility"
- you are preparing for IVF
- you are doing IVF and want to optimize your chances for success
- you have not had success with IVF
- you have underlying gynecological conditions impacting your fertility, such as endometriosis or PCOS, which can potentially be managed with Chinese medicine
Acupuncture and IVF
How might acupuncture contribute to a successful IVF cycle? When working with women undergoing IVF, the therapeutic goals of the acupuncturist are to:
- Increase ovarian response
- Increase estrogen levels (if low)
- Enhance follicle/egg quality
- Improve sperm vitality
- Increase thickness of uterine lining (endometrium), if needed
- Increase implantation rates
- Relieve side effects of fertility drugs
- Relieve symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, if any
An integrative approach
Depending on your particular situation and preferences, an integrative approach is often recommended. Even for women who prefer to use acupuncture and Chinese medicine as a stand-alone, alternative treatment for fertility, it is often wise to get a basic fertility work-up from your gynecologist or reproductive endocrinologist (REI). This work-up could rule out conditions which Chinese medicine cannot sufficiently treat (such as severely blocked tubes) and would also give us additional information, such as hormone levels, that will refine our Chinese medicine strategy.
Other factors that influence whether the ideal approach for you will be Chinese medicine, Western medicine, or a combination of both, include age, gynecological history, diagnosis, and the number of factors involved in the specific fertility challenge (i.e., an ovulatory dysfunction is less difficult to treat than an ovulatory dysfunction together with endometriosis and a low sperm count).
Every woman's situation is unique and recommendations are always individualized.
Other factors that influence whether the ideal approach for you will be Chinese medicine, Western medicine, or a combination of both, include age, gynecological history, diagnosis, and the number of factors involved in the specific fertility challenge (i.e., an ovulatory dysfunction is less difficult to treat than an ovulatory dysfunction together with endometriosis and a low sperm count).
Every woman's situation is unique and recommendations are always individualized.
Does Dr. Mims treat men for infertility?
Lexington Acupuncture for Women is dedicated to the unique health and wellness needs of women. However, when it comes to fertility, treatment often needs to involve the male partner, as well. After all, approximately 50% of fertility challenges are due to male factors. Research supports the use of acupuncture to address issues such as sperm count, motility, and morphology. In the context of treating a couple for infertility, Dr. Mims is happy to work together with both partners.
Research supports Chinese herbs for fertility
Recent research supports the ability of Chinese herbs to:
- Increase endometrial thickness
- Increase oocyte mitochondrial ATP output (important for egg quality, development of embryo after fertilization, and successful implantation)
- Improve follicular environment by reducing inflammatory cytokines
- Improve pregnancy rates 2-fold within a 4-month period compared with Western Medical fertility drug therapy or IVF (as per the study, "Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the Management of Female Infertility: A Systematic Review")
Research supports acupuncture for fertility
Recent research supports acupuncture’s ability to:
- Increase the blood supply (oxygen and nutrients) to the follicles
- Increase the blood supply (oxygen and nutrients) to the testicles
- Improve ovarian functions by regulating hormone levels
- Reduce stress hormones associated with reduced IVF success
- Improve pregnancy rates and live birth rates with IVF
- Improve sperm count, motility, and morphology
Postgraduate training in acupuncture for fertility
Dr. Mims has extensive postgraduate training in the field of fertility acupuncture, including the following courses:
- Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine
- Combining Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs to Support Women Through IVF
- Optimizing Ovarian Reserve
- Infertility in Older Women: Aggressive Treatment Options Using Acupuncture and Herbs
- Key Aspects of Western Reproductive Medicine for CAM Practitioners
- Lab Testing and Hormonal Assessment for Infertility
- Treating Male Infertility with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Recommended reading
Want to learn more about Chinese medicine and acupuncture for fertility?
Dr. Mims recommends the following books:
Dr. Mims recommends the following books:
How can I learn more?
Get your questions answered today! Dr. Mims is happy to offer complimentary introductory consultations, either by phone or in person.
Reference: Lyttleton, J. "Combining TCM and IVF to Improve Clinical Outcomes".
For specific research references, feel free to contact Dr. Mims.
