Acupuncture for fertility

stephzrn

My RE recommends acupuncture to help with fertility.  I have heard that it can help.  Has anyone tried it? What are your thoughts on acupuncture? How can it work with fertility?   I'm going to try it but guess I am a little skeptical.  I just wondered what others thought.  Thanks.

10-4LilBuddy

I've been doing acupuncture for fertility for a year now.  My cycles are now regular and I have strong ovulations.  Previously, I had 60+ day cycles.  I went to a general acupuncturist for a few months before going to a specialist.  He was nice but it didn't help my cycles at all.

Even though I'm not pregnant yet, I'd definitely recommend acupuncture.  It helps with my stress too.  

chicagobride_07

I've only gone to 3 sessions, but it has helped with stress.  Very relaxing.  The REs I asked (the one I am using, and another that I went to for a second opinion) mentioned that they had no problem with me doing accupuncture, but didn't really sing its praises from helping from the fertility standpoint.

I am going to try this for a couple of cycles and see what happens.  It is expensive ($100/session) and not covered by my insurance so I don't know if I'll continue after that.

ge0rge

I've literally just started (first session was last week).  I've seen studies - both positive and negative (negative meaning they didn't seen an effect on fertility).  I figured it didn't hurt (and it doesn't) and could help, so why not.  For me, it's as much about knowing I'm doing everything possible, so I can have some peace of mind later.

brooklynesque

I do acu, and have since September.  I like to think it has a beneficial effect.  At the very least, when I do treatment cycles, I tend to stim on the faster side, despite not having the greatest stats.  Plus my acu is my cheerleader, so although I'm not going to therapy at the moment, I can talk to him when I'm feeling frustrated.

Haikinn1

About 20 minutes ago I said to my husband that our insurance covers *nothing* - but it does cover acupuncture, and maybe we should look in to that. I've wanted to try it for a while for seasonal allergies, and my husband tried it for pain management a while back and it really worked for him.

How long have you been seeing your RE? 

dhreczuck

I started going after my m/c last year. It definately helped level off some of the emotional rollercoster I was on and it was definately relaxing. My cycle started to lengthen out a bit as well. Ironically I got a bfp when I took a month off from it. It is expensive so I'm holding off for now and also my accupunturist and RE said no herbs while doing injectibles or other drug therapy. As mentioned above it is nice to have someone you can talk to about your cycle and you do get some emotional support as well.

 

Country Girl in the City

My RE also recommends acupuncture.  They even work with a holistic medicine group.  I have been doing it since before I started my first IUI.  I have not gotten a BFP but I don't think that it has hurt anything.  I hate needles so I did not think that I would enjoy it at all.  However, I look forward to my weekly sessions.  It does help me to stay calm and feel grounded.  It has also helped the quality of my periods.  They are not as heavy and the cramps are not as bad.

stephzrn

Thank you everyone for responding.  I have my first visit today.  I'm going to try it.  I guess I also want to make sure I have tried everyone.  If it helps with stress that would be an added bonus!  I just wasn't sure how exactly it works but I guess it is suppose to increase the energy flow.....I can always ask her some of those questions at my appointment. 

Haikinn1

Tell us how it goes! I'm pretty excited for you!

stephzrn

Needless to say, it didn't go well.  Maybe her and I just didn't click.  I felt worse then before I went.  I took all my labs and calender of my cycle.  She told me I should increase my thyroid med.  Which my RE said he was happy with my levels, my last TSH was 2.89.  She told me to stop running and stop doing the step machine.  I have cut my cardio down by 75%.  I was in endurance junky........which is probably why I have fertility issues.  I only do 3-4 x-wk and 45 at a time of cardio.  You can't take away the type of cardio I enjoy.   She says the only cardio I should do is the olyptical machine.  She says that my husbands infertility is the hardest to treat when every one else says its the easiest.....his count and motility is great but morphology is poor and he stopped putting his computer on his lap and is taking all kinds of vitamins which is what the RE said to do.  She said that he needs to see her a couple of times and I said that he maybe a little resistant.  She said when he sees how much IVF cost then we won't.  Really........My husband and I love each other so much but if we can't have a baby then we accept that.  We are willing to try but don't know how far we want to take it.  We still believe it is in Gods hands.  Sorry everyone,  I had to vent...........I am not giving up on acupuncture.  I will definitely not go back to her but will try one more person before I give up.  I didn't feel any support or positive energy from her but her trying to make money..........sad. 

Haikinn1

I am so sorry that's how your appointment went - she sounds just awful. Prayers for you two - and hopes that your next appt goes a thousand times better.

Reilly626

No I didn't use it at all. My RE tried to push the laser acupuncture on ET day, I declined and obviously it wasn't necessary. I would try without it first. GL

fitchickover45+

I feel your pain.  I am very new here and my RE tells me I'm too old for natural even IVF so only DE is an option.  I don't know what we're going to do.  But I am an avid athlete - hence I look 35 but I'm not!  Even my OB, after doing vaginal fibroid removal surgery thought I was 35 without looking at my chart!  But that apparently doesn't count in fertility world.  Uggh!  I am sure the docs would all be telling me to slow down and stop running too if I work with an RE or actually do end up getting pregnant.  I don't know what to tell you other than relax and do what you think makes sense.  I know I'd hate to lose a baby because I was too active but I also know I'd go crazy without getting outside and getting some physical activity.  I swim as well, and would expect to be able to continue that.  My friend, when she was around 34?? swam until the night before she gave birth - real long and quick lap swimming for 40 minutes or so a day. She and daughter, now 7, are in great condition, and her birth was a snap.  I do heed a doctors's advice about restricting activity but never as much as they recommend.  I think the medical profession, as you probably know, is geared toward treating sick people, not living a healthy lifestyle.  So, they are really not very well equipped to advise athletes through medical situations.  Good luck.  And DH is not unlike what I've been dealing with - my partner thinks all the new age stuff is a litle nutty.  But they may just not understand.  He'll either buy into it or not, you can't control that.  Take care.

racheljourney

I have been getting acupuncture once a week for the past three months.  I like the person I see.  She is a good sounding board.  I am way more relaxed since seeing here.  My luteal phase has increased.  There are studies with the pros and cons though.  I will continue seeing her because I have seen positive improvements - energy is better, helps with stress, and things like CM also improved.