Lord Winston spoke recently at a conference on assisted genetics about the “real cost” of infertility. What struck me, reading his speech, was his reference to the emotional cost of infertility.
Daily I see patients who are struggling through the infertility minefield. They are bewildered by the process, frustrated by a lack of success conceiving, scared by the financial cost of IVF and saddened by the possibility of a life without the family they have dreamt of. I am grateful I practise a system of medicine that is holistic: treating the whole person, physically, mentally and emotionally. Yes, there are often physical problems to be overcome: irregular cycles, PCOS, fibroids and endometriosis – and many more. Yet one third of patients have no diagnosed cause of infertility – leaving an unanswered question to add to the problem.
Can Acupuncture help Infertility?
Acupuncture is widely recognised as an effective treatment to regulate hormones (Anderson 2007). It has been shown to increase blood flow to pelvic organs (Ho 2009, Anderson 2007), egg production (Jin 2009) and quality (Chen 2009). There are also a myriad of acupuncture points that help to soften, comfort and support patients emotionally. Their names translate from Chinese as “Body Pillar”, “Inner Courtyard”, “Upright branch”,”Palace of Weariness”, “Great Welcome”. These names give a glimpse at what they offer. Often it is by supporting the patient emotionally, being there for them and with them at difficult times, that we allow healing – and conception – to occur naturally.
If you’d like to know more about what I do, get in touch!