Acupuncture and Infertility BY Li Zheng and Steven Zhou

Infertility brings many challenges to couples; there can be emotional and social impacts. And you are not alone; infertility is a fairly common condition. It may result from an issue with either of the partners or a combination of factors that prevent pregnancy. Fortunately, the chances of pregnancy can be significantly improved by many safe and effective therapies. During the pandemic, many infertility centres in Boston was shut down. Do you know Acupuncture can help you conceive naturally by improving your ovarian and uterus function without any hormone injection? Infertility: What is It? Infertility commonly refers to the inability to conceive a baby even after regular sexual intercourse without the use of birth control methods for one year. Women who can conceive but not carry a pregnancy to full term or those keep having miscarriages or stillbirths also come under the definition of infertility. The causes of infertility can be issues related to women or men or a combination of both male and female factors. It is advised to seek treatment at the earliest if you have infrequent menstrual periods, history of sexually transmitted diseases or pelvic infections, known uterine fibroids, or known semen abnormalities. Possible Causes of Infertility The release of a mature egg, ovulation, is an essential step of pregnancy. Disorders in ovulation is a common cause of infertility. Other factors include blockage, growths, scarring, or other abnormalities of reproductive organs like fallopian tubes, ovary, and uterus. Medical conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, early-onset menopause, uncontrolled diabetes and autoimmune diseases, advanced mate al age, certain medications, radiations, and chemotherapy, etc. can contribute to infertility. In men, factors like an unhealthy sperm, ED, blockage in testicles due to varicocele, infections, retrograde ejaculation, etc. can result in infertility. Acupuncture: The Art of Healing Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese approach to holistic healing. A human body is filled with and animated by the universal energy of qi, and the right flow of this life-giving force keeps the mental and physical health of the body. All the illnesses are resulted by imbalance or blockage of the flow of qi. An experienced acupuncturist inserts needles in the pathways of the energy flow at acupoints or meridians. The meridians match specific organs or groups of organs and acupuncture results in the correction and balance of the energy flow. Acupuncture Infertility research: The treatment options of infertility with acupuncture are well supported by research studies. A study published in Biology of Reproduction by Dr Stener-Victorin explained how electrical acupuncture can regulate ovulation in PCOS rat model by optimizing the NGF level in ovaries and adrenal gland and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Acupuncture brings harmonization of life with mental and physical well-being. Acupuncture not only treats the issues of infertility but also balances your body functions and revitalize your body!