Fertility Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Fertility

For women who are trying to conceive, acupuncture is a safe, natural, effective way to balance hormones and boost fertility. We treat women of all ages, whether you are trying to conceive naturally or using assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF or IUI.

With over 25 years of experience, Janet Humphrey, L.Ac., has helped many women achieve their goal of pregnancy. As any woman faced with a fertility challenge knows, this can be one of the most stressful and emotionally straining experiences she has ever faced. In addition, it can be difficult to get the information you really need to make the best choices for yourself.

With her scientific background, combined with years of acupuncture experience, Janet has a natural ability to put you at ease and to help you navigate through the fertility process – to empower you with understanding you can use to feel confident and be your own guide in the midst of a medical system that can often feel very impersonal and harsh.

Using acupuncture treatment, the body is able to regulate itself so that you can conceive. Acupuncture invites your body to regain hormonal balance and remove blockages caused by energy and blood stagnation in the reproductive system. For most women, this is all that’s required to restore a healthy fertility and achieve pregnancy. In addition, acupuncture helps relieve your stress and balance your emotions to help you move through the process with greater ease.

Depending on your individual needs, we will discuss a treatment plan with you. We usually begin with 2-3 weekly sessions and then schedule one treatment twice per month to regulate your cycle and your hormones, and relieve blockages. It can take up to 3 months to fully regulate your cycle, and after that time, we continue bi-monthly treatments to support your enhanced fertility until you become pregnant.

For women undergoing IVF or IUI procedures, the treatment protocol is a little different. We schedule weekly treatments throughout your procedure, and then several in quick succession around the time of your procedure.

Acupuncture can be used on its own or in conjunction with herbal therapy. We provide herbal treatment to those who choose to add it to their program.

Set up an appointment today or call for a complimentary consultation prior to your treatment.

212-489-8082 or info@givingnaturecenter.com

Commonly Asked Questions about Acupuncture for Fertility

Is acupuncture an effective fertility treatment in women in their 20’s and 30’s?

Yes. If you are a woman in your 20’s or early 30’s, it is very often a relatively short course of treatment to optimize your fertility. We always tell women to give the process 3 months to fully balance and take effect. Yet, it is quite common for younger women to become pregnant within 6-8 weeks of beginning treatment.

How does acupuncture work for fertility in women in their late 30’s or 40’s?

Age 40 tends to be noted as the “magic number” at which there is a steep decline in fertility in women. Many women tend to become anxious as they approach this age if they have been trying to conceive and have not yet been successful. Acupuncture is highly effective in promoting fertility well into the 40’s.

If you are over 40 and trying to conceive, you have probably already consulted your doctor or a fertility specialist to assess your hormonal status and physical condition. Many women at this age hasten to begin medical fertility treatments, whether through fertility-promoting medications alone, or with IVF or IUI procedures. Acupuncture can be used in combination with medical fertility procedures or on its own. For women in their 30’s, and for some women in their 40’s, acupuncture treatment is often enough to become pregnant. If you choose medical fertility procedures, acupuncture is a natural support to optimize ovulation, implantation and pregnancy.

How is acupuncture used with IVF?

Just as acupuncture improves fertility without IVF, it enhances the effect of fertility medication and supports a healthy overall reproductive system while relieving stress at the same time. When working with IVF cycles we time your treatments in accordance with your medical schedule, promoting growth of strong follicles in advance of egg retrieval, and then preparing the body for successful implantation upon embryo transfer.

You will receive an acupuncture treatment prior to egg retrieval, and one before and after the transfer. Subsequently treatments are given once or twice weekly until pregnancy is confirmed.

Is acupuncture effective for fertility in women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)?

Many women with PCOS are told by their doctors that they will not be able to conceive naturally. With acupuncture, we have seen many women become pregnant even with PCOS. The primary challenge in the case of PCOS is the timing of ovulation, because it can be so variable. With acupuncture treatment your cycle is regulated in a way that promotes more predictable ovulation cycles. Additionally, underlying patterns of blockage that are associated with PCOS are effectively treated and relieved.

Is herbal medicine used?

Herbal medicine can further improve fertility and conception. It is like a “home remedy” that is taken on a daily basis to improve the function of your reproductive system. Herbal formulas are given that match your individual needs and can be taken as tablets or powders.

Janet Humphrey, L.Ac., is a licensed practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine and offers individualized herbal formulas to those women who choose to add it to their fertility program.

You can work with acupuncture alone to support your fertility, or add herbal medicine, depending on your preference. You can learn more about your options during your initial consultation.

How much does it cost?

Acupuncture is very cost effective and we believe in making care accessible to women who need it. Insurance plans often cover acupuncture treatment and we can verify your insurance coverage for you. The basic cost of acupuncture at Giving Nature Center is $150 for the initial evaluation and treatment, and $90 per treatment thereafter. We offer discounted treatment packages for a fertility series, with a 10% reduction with a 10 session package, and a 15% reduction for a 15 session package.

We also offer Community Style Acupuncture – a very low cost group acupuncture that is available for those who need it. Treatments are $25 per session, with a one-time administrative fee of $15. Fertility treatments can be administered in the community acupuncture setting with some modifications.

Is acupuncture used in pregnancy?

Yes. Once pregnant, acupuncture is used to support a health pregnancy, to help prevent miscarriage, and to ameliorate some of the side effects of early pregnancy, including nausea and fatigue. Many women who have faced a fertility challenge value ongoing acupuncture throughout the first trimester to relieve stress and support a strong, healthy pregnancy.