Natural Fertility

If it's taking longer to get pregnant than you expected, it's natural to feel disappointed. Each month that goes by without a positive pregnancy test can be hard to bear, and you may wonder if it's ever going to happen for you. Try not to get too dispirited. Most couples take a while to conceive. If you’ve just been trying for a few months, give it time. More than four out of five couples conceive within the first year of trying. Of those who don’t, half will conceive within the second year. 

Infertility can bring up many emotions.  From feeling sad to obsessing about what it’s going to take to conceive. It's also not uncommon to become depressed. You can't always change your circumstances. But you can gain more control by taking positive steps to enhance you chances each month, here’s a few ideas…

• Learn to track your cycle and fertile window, make notes in a journal.
• Try BBT charting for a few cycles to see understand your temperatures during the follicular to luteal phase.
• Make sex fun! Book date nights in your fertile peak days.
• Make your self care a priority, find what soothes and calms you.
• Join a support group or consider counselling. 
• Talk to your GP, there are some great ones who will listen and proceed with fertility tests.
• Get acupuncture! With the backing of evidence based research acupuncture provides an immense amount of fertility boosting benefits. 

Here are a few free resources Kim has created to help you:

Find Your Fertile Peak

Boost Your Fertility Checklist

Discover Your Natural Fertility E Book

Read on if you want more information on how acupuncture can work to boost your fertility.

The development of a human egg takes 150 days (5 months) from primordial follicle to becoming an egg cell at the release of ovulation

With the knowledge primordial follicle development is estimated at five months, considering acupuncture treatment prior to trying to conceive enhances egg quality, regulates the menstrual cycle, increases blood flow to the uterus and boost’s overall well-being. Acupuncture treatment is supported by bespoke lifestyle advice tailored to your unique fertility picture to enrich your health to conceive naturally. 

Understanding your cycle

Monitoring your cycle to understand the flow of the follicular, luteal phases and ovulation is integral to understanding your fertile days. Monitoring your temperature each morning, notating cervical mucous and emotional changes assists with your unique treatment planning. 

How does acupuncture boost your chances of natural conception?

Acupuncture stimulates the energy of the body (‘Qi’) by inserting very fine needles to specific points on the body. Acupuncture for fertility optimises the body’s natural healing abilities to enhance these functions from the moment of conception to birth: 

• Strengthens libido for the sperm and egg to bond
• Regulates ovulation to ensure smooth follicular and luteal phases
• Higher quality and amount of eggs and sperm
• Fertile copious cervical mucous to guide sperm
• Clear fallopian tubes which allow free movement without any obstructions
• Higher quality embryos
• Healthy endometrium which is a balanced environment
• Successful implantation
• A pregnancy which is viable and smooth
• A strong mother and baby post pregnancy both physically and spiritually

Enhance your ability to conceive if you have these conditions:

Endometriosis

Endometriosis varies in presentation from intense pain during the cycle and intercourse to very few symptoms at all. It affects fertility by reducing the quality of eggs, not allowing blood to flow properly, causing a weakened endometrium as well as causing obstruction in the tubes and uterus, therefore not allowing passage for the egg and sperm or impeding smooth discharge of menstrual blood. Acupuncture can benefit the patient in providing pain relief, reducing inflammation which therefore increases blood flow to the uterus and regulate the period cycle to support conception. As well as, regulating levels of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are know to regulate the female reproductive system and are involved in the control of ovulation, the menstrual cycle and the induction of labour.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition when viewed on ultrasound the ovaries appear to be covered with many small cysts. Many signs of PCOS include long, irregular and infrequent menstrual cycles with infrequent ovulation. In order to be clinically diagnosed with PCOS a woman must have two of the following symptoms (Rotterdam consensus 2003 criteria):

• Polycystic ovary morphology on ultrasound (defines as more than 12 follicles, size 2-9mm on each or one and /or swollen ovaries measuring more than 9mL in volume)
• Infrequent, irregular or no ovulation - cycles longer than 35 days or fewer than 9 periods a year
• Hirsutism (unwanted hair growth), acne, male pattern hair loss, or evidence of elevated androgens on blood test

In most cases the aim of fertility acupuncture will be to regulate the menstrual cycle to therefore regulate ovulation. PCOS often goes hand in hand with weight gain. Study’s have shown increased ovarian activity by losing 5 kg of weight, often with PCOS weight manifests itself around the waist to lower abdomen. Treatment aims to support the patient with acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle recommendations. 

Often patients will be consulting with reproductive specialists who may prescribe various medications (Clomifene Citrate, Metformin, Gonadotrophins), acupuncture treatment for PCOS and fertility can ameliorate any undesirable side effects. 

There have been many studies on the effect of acupuncture showing improved ovarian function, increased ovulation frequency as well as balanced levels of LH (Luteinising hormone), testosterone and insulin reduction due to a course of PCOS fertility based acupuncture treatment.