How Acupuncture for PCOS Fertility Works?
Acupuncture is a common treatment for PCOS-related fertility challenges. You can maximize the benefits of acupuncture when combined with other therapies like exercise and diet.
According to medical studies, acupuncture regulates the menstrual cycles, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces testosterone levels, which are useful for improving the chance of pregnancy.
Continue reading this guide to understand how acupuncture impacts PCOS-related fertility.
What is PCOS for Fertility?
PCOS is a misunderstood medical condition suffered by many (1 million) women in the world. Hormonal imbalances are one of the reasons for PCOS. Also, the presence of cysts, known as fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries, is another reason.
These reasons create a few health conditions, such as
Weight gain
Heart disease
Irregular menstrual cycles
Fertility issue
Diabetes
Treating PCOS requires an understanding of these symptoms. Many women suffering from PCOS fail to understand it.
As a result, they face difficulty managing the symptoms and the causes of PCOS.
In this case, acupuncture helps them to control PCOS and improve fertility.
Can Acupuncture Help with PCOS Symptoms?
Yes, acupuncture treatment is designed in such a way to help minimize the PCOS symptoms and increase women's fertility.
Absent periods, acne, weight gain, excess hair growth, etc., are a few PCOS symptoms that can be controlled by acupuncture treatment.
Also, some other PCOS symptoms are high blood sugar, high BP, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Acupuncture addresses all these symptoms and improves the chance of getting pregnant.
In simpler words, acupuncture helps in regular menstrual cycles while reducing PCOS symptoms. More importantly, all these symptoms are prevented long-term when acupuncture is taken under an experienced person.
How Acupuncture Affects PCOS Fertility?
Acupuncture balances the hormones, reduces stress levels, and improves metabolism to enhance egg quality.
Here are more impacts of acupuncture for PCOS fertility.
Ensure Hormonal Balances
Ensures hormonal balance and increases blood circulation throughout the body to prevent PCOS.
The production of β-endorphins gets stimulated with acupuncture treatment. As a result, the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis modulates to reduce the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone. Overall, the testosterone hormone gets lowered, increasing the chance of fertility.
Offers Metabolic Improvements
Metabolic dysfunction frequently inhibits regular ovulation. After taking the acupuncture treatment, your fasting glucose levels will reduce, which addresses the metabolic syndrome.
The increased amount of insulin is another reason for fertility. Acupuncture mitigates insulin resistance, which improves egg quality.
Overall, your chance of getting pregnant will increase.
Enhances Blood Circulation
Since needles are placed in different areas of the abdomen and pelvis, the sympathetic nerve activity gets relaxed. This way, blood circulation increases throughout the body.
The increase in blood circulation means oxygen, nutrients, and other important hormones flow directly to the ovaries and the uterine wall. Such activities increase the quality of the egg and increase the chance of getting pregnant.
Stimulates Ovulation
By reducing sympathetic nerve activity, acupuncture increases blood flow to the ovaries. This helps regularize menstrual cycles and trigger ovulation.
Reduces Stress Level
Acupuncture helps you to relax and reduce stress levels. Stress significantly interferes with the effort of getting pregnant.
Wondering why?
The reason is that stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline reduce the blood flow to the ovaries and other reproductive organs.
As acupuncture increases blood flow in the body, you will feel more relaxed.
What Does the Research Say about Acupuncture for PCOS Fertility?
A study found that electroacupuncture restored ovulation in nearly one-third of women with PCOS. It also improved important PCOS biomarkers, including LH/FSH ratios, testosterone levels, and beta-endorphin concentrations.
For women undergoing IVF, acupuncture offers additional benefits. Research showed that it improved ongoing pregnancy rates while lowering the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
So, acupuncture supports regular menstrual cycles, improves hormone balance, and reduces PCOS-related complications. Moreover, it can make fertility treatment safer and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
FAQ
Can acupuncture improve fertility for women with PCOS?
Yes, acupuncture has a proven track record in improving fertility for women with PCOS. The treatment regulates menstrual cycles, which increases the functionality of the ovaries. At the same time, acupuncture reduces stress levels and creates a positive impact on the women's bodies.
How long does it take to see results with acupuncture for PCOS?
The impact of acupuncture for PCOS depends on a few factors like person's fitness and their body's responsiveness to acupuncture. Usually, it takes a few weeks to show the results of acupuncture for PCOS. Some also see results in several months when the treatment is taken regularly.
Can acupuncture help manage PCOS-related weight gain?
Yes, acupuncture helps manage PCOS-related weight gain. It addresses hormonal imbalances and improves metabolic function. But it is also important to maintain a diet and exercise routine to maximize the benefits of acupuncture for PCOS-related weight gain.
Is acupuncture a long-term solution for PCOS?
Yes, you can have the long-term benefits of acupuncture for PCOS. One note to keep in mind is that you need to undergo regular sessions to get those benefits for many years. The treatment duration varies depending on the person's goals, needs, and fitness.
Is acupuncture a stand-alone treatment for PCOS?
Acupuncture can be a stand-alone treatment for PCOS. However, you can take it with other therapies to increase the chance of getting pregnant. In this case, the doctor will assess the severity of your PCOS, check your lifestyle, and provide suggestions for treatment, including whether to combine acupuncture with other treatments.
Summing Up
With the above discussion, it is proven that acupuncture for PCOS fertility has positive impacts on women.
Balance Houston Acupuncture Clinic focuses on natural and IVF fertility, as well as supporting pregnancy, women’s health, pain management, and gastrointestinal disorders with the tools of acupuncture, classical herbs, modern supplements, and holistic nutrition. We also offer ear seeding, cupping, and electro-acupuncture.