It’s well known that female eggs play a significant role in fertility. What most people don’t know is that the environment occupied by these eggs during their development determines their receptivity to a sperm, and the liklihood of conception. Eggs need to be exposed to an ample supply of energy, the right hormone signals, the right nutrients, and a good supply of blood. This is where acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine come in. A weekly acupuncture session at Centre of Balance and prescribed Chinese herbs for a few months may help to rejuvenate the developing egg and improve its capacity to make energy – necessary for conception. Call Centre of Balance to book an initial exam, or read on to find out how acupuncture may help you conceive.

When is Acupuncture used?

Acupuncture treatment has the potential to improve women’s fertility.  However, it has higher implications for patients at an advanced age or those burdened with conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ovaries may be unresponsive to In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) or fail to produce quality eggs due to a variety of reasons such as:

• Low anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) as follicles reduce or become less active.
• An increase in the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) as the pituitary gland attempts to stimulate a less responsive ovary.
• As you get older (40+), it’s normal for the quality of eggs produced by the ovaries to deteriorate.

Please Note: Ovaries age at different rates and the process is irreversible – it’s not possible to change the DNA or increase the number of eggs, even with the help of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.

But if acupuncture cannot turn back the clock regarding ovaries, how does it improve the chances of conception?

How Acupuncture Influences Egg Quality

To understand how acupuncture may help you conceive, lets first talk about the imbalance in the body that is responsible for the reduced egg quality. As shown in the list below, acupuncture treatment and traditional Chinese medicine may influence egg quality in a variety of ways.

1. Defence against cellular damage– Oxidative stress causes cellular damage to older follicles which
   may translate into poorer IVF outcomes. However, some Chinese herbs, available
   at Centre of Balance Hamilton, may improve female fertility by enhancing the
   production of ATP (the organic chemical in living cells that provides energy)
   and mitochondrial activity. Researchers and Chinese medicine practitioners agree
   that some of these herbs may improve antioxidant defences at a cellular level.

• Increased energy– Eggs with an increased concentration of ATP have a better
  chance of successful conception. The amount of energy available has a higher impact
  on the division and implantation of embryos than maternal age. Acupuncture
  treatment enhances the eggs capacity to produce the necessary energy for
  conception.

• Bloodflow to the follicles– Improved IVF outcomes and higher
  fertilization rates are likely when follicles have ample oxygen content and
  blood supply. However, during the late stages of development, the follicles of
  older ovaries tend to receive a reduced supply of blood. Acupuncture treatment
  involving certain meridian points addresses this imbalance by increasing blood
  flow to the ovaries and promoting the growth of blood vessels. It’s especially
  effective during the development phase of the eggs and follicles, when the
  treatment promotes blood supply through the ovarian and uterine arteries. This
  improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients, thus enhancing the chances of fertilization
  and implantation.

• Hormone stimulation– A high FSH environment is detrimental to the quality of
  female eggs. Acupuncture aims to reduce FSH and improve the ovaries receptivity
  to hormone stimulation.

Conclusion

If you are preparing to conceive, and would like a safe, natural therapy to increase your overall health, traditional Chinese medicine may be just what you are looking for.  Acupuncture has been shown to improve follicular response to hormone stimulation, enhance antioxidant defenses, boost mitochondrial ATP production, and increase blood flow to the follicles. These competencies may be the solution you’ve been looking for to help rejuvenate your eggs and improve your fertility. It all starts with a visit to your favourite acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine clinic. Call Centre of Balance, Hamilton, to find out how acupuncture may help you conceive, or to book an initial exam now.