When it comes to infertility women are often to blame for the inability to conceive. In reality, men (about 35% – 40%) suffer from infertility issues almost as frequently as women.

In my practice, I’ve seen both. As individuals or as a couple, acupuncture is a very effective way to restore balance, allowing the body to work optimally as it should. With my patients, I liken the body to that of a factory. If the conveyer belt is out of commission, it may affect the workflow causing back-up elsewhere. The human body is no different. And because the endocrine system plays a vital role on reproduction, aligning hormones and easing the nervous system is most often the protocol when needling.

Recent studies confirm that male sperm counts are declining, and environmental elements such as pesticides, exogenous estrogens, and heavy metals may be having a negative impact on spermatogenesis. In addition to these external elements, male-factor Infertility can result from general abnormalities in sperm production.

Acupuncture, as well as specific herbal medicines, has been documented in several studies as a having a positive effect on sperm parameters—from motility (how they swim) and morphology (how they look) to amount (how many)—and being able to improve these issues after only a few months.

Infertility in women is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected sex, or six months for women over 35 or who may have other medical issues.

Unlike male-factor infertility, infertility in women can be caused by a slew of conditions, as many parts of the reproductive system need to be fully functional in order to conceive and carry to term. These include properly functioning ovaries, uterus, and a hormonally balanced system.

Acupuncture CAN:

• Increase the blood flow to the uterus, thickening the lining and supporting implantation
• Balance the endocrine system and reproductive hormones
• Lower stress levels
• Regulate menstruation

With that said, I always tell my patients that acupuncture is only one step in the restoration process. With consistent treatment and incorporating a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise), acupuncture can remedy the underlying causes and imbalances to improve both the systemic environment and reproductive health.

I hope you find this blog informative and helpful. Feel free to join us on Facebook, Google+, and Instagram for more tips, information and great stories. You’ll find links on our website at www.acupunctureremedies.com.