Acupuncture

rockpaperlove

I will make it quick: what's the skinny on acupuncture for IF?  I have been hearing a lot of chitter chatter about it and I would like to know the benefits of it.

naybird

I love it! It relaxes and calms me down. I also do it to increase the blood flow to my uterus!

Sadly, I was laid off, and don't think I can afford acupuncture with this cycle.  Boo

rockpaperlove

Is it painful?  How many treatments a cycle would you do?  And, most importantly, how much?  Sorry about your layoff.  This economy is the pits!  As if fertility issues aren't difficult enough to cope with, then we have a crummy never ending financial crisis to deal with on top of it all.  Trying my best to stay positive among all the negative.  Blah.

Trish11278

It is suppose to help with relaxation, blood flow , balance and a couple other things.  If your insurance covers it, it is a nice thing to do.  Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover it and we could only do it the one month to see if it helped with anything. 

jillychris

I started going in July, a few weeks prior to my first IVF cycle. The main benefit, related to fertility is that it increases the blood flow to your uterus, it can also help with egg quality and with balancing hormone levels.

For me, it made no difference for my failed IVF cycle, but according to my accupuncturist, you need a few months for it to be able to make any difference in egg quality.  An added bonus is that I am sleeping better, I haven't had a migraine since I started, and my anxiety levels are WAY down. 

Prior to my ER I was going 3 times a week. DH and I have decided to invest in a solid three months of acu prior to my next IVF cycle to see if it makes any difference. For the next few months, I am going twice a week.  It is pricey, as my insurance doesn't cover it!

naybird

rockpaperlove:

Is it painful?  How many treatments a cycle would you do?  And, most importantly, how much?  Sorry about your layoff.  This economy is the pits!  As if fertility issues aren't difficult enough to cope with, then we have a crummy never ending financial crisis to deal with on top of it all.  Trying my best to stay positive among all the negative.  Blah.

 

He was a fertility acupuncturist and it was $65 a session.  I went twice a week.

It didn't hurt me at all. When he would insert the needle I would get a mild electricity feeling. Sometimes it would cause me to jerk.. but nothing I would call painful!  I would go after work and it totally relaxed me. I would ever fall asleep on the table!

He also had me drink some yucky herbs too!

 Yes, it really is hard to stay positive with all the negative crap that keeps on piling up!!!

stinkerbell6879

OP. Thanks for asking this! It sounds great. I am going to look into how my insurance works for this

csquared426

rockpaperlove:

Is it painful?  How many treatments a cycle would you do?  And, most importantly, how much?

I've gone on and off for the last year - all to fertility acupuncture specialists. There are a few points that I find painful at first, but that subsides after a few seconds. Mine have ranged in cost from $80-$100/session, and I go once a week. It is not covered by my insurance, or I would go more often.

Its also recommended that you go for at least 3 months to see the full benefit.