Acupuncture for Fertility and PMS

 

A woman's menstrual cycle is a good indicator of her overall health.  If you have raging PMS, headaches, severe cramps, erratic periods, a heavy flow, or fertility issues, your body is telling you to make a few changes.  Women are lucky to have this monthly barometer of their health.  (Consider it a free check-up without the stirrups!)  Many women are delighted to find that regulating their cycles clear up other seemingly unrelated issues, like digestion problems, fatigue, acne, or even excess weight.  Luckily, acupuncture and herbs can be extremely effective at balancing hormones and bringing the entire body back into optimal health.

 

How can some needles and plants make such a profound difference?  A meta-analysis (Huang, 2011) examining the effects of acupuncture on fertility concludes:

 

• acupuncture may improve ovulation by modulating the central and peripheral nervous systems, the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems, the ovarian blood flow, and metabolism.

• acupuncture can improve the outcome of IVF-ET, and the mechanisms may be related to the increased uterine blood flow, inhibited uterine motility, and the relief of depression, anxiety and stress.

• acupuncture's effect on modulating immune function also suggests helpfulness in improving the outcome of IVF-ET.

• acupuncture also plays a positive role in male infertility, the mechanism of which is not yet clear.  

 

Whether you are trying to expand your family or just trying to keep the peace once a month, acupuncture and herbs can help you reach your goals without harsh conventional treatments or hormone replacements.