Acupuncture is a fabulous non-pharmaceutical tool for improving egg quality in women hoping to become pregnant or preserve their fertility.
Often, women hoping to become pregnant or freeze their eggs or embryos visit their western medical provider for a fertility workup. Sometimes women are told "your egg reserves are low" or "your AMH is low" or "your chances at become pregnant soon are low."
It can be heartbreaking and demoralizing to hear that egg quality and egg reserve may be an issue, and furthermore, it causes additional stress during what can already be a stressful process.
For centuries, Chinese medicine has been used to support healthy and robust egg development and maturation. Women can use acupuncture (and herbal medicine, if interested), to improve the number and quality of eggs and improve pregnancy and egg or embryo freezing outcomes.
How Does Acupuncture Support Egg Quality?
Acupuncture can be used to increase cellular energy, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, reduce stress hormone production, and thereby regulate production of sex hormones.
Eggs typically take three to four months to mature before they are released during ovulation (or harvested during an egg retrieval process). The Chinese medicine approach focuses on maximizing the resources available to eggs at least 3-4 months prior to desired conception in order to ensure the highest egg quality.
Acupuncture is Specific to Your Body's Needs
When you meet with a Chinese medicine / acupuncture practitioner, they will assess your overall health and any imbalances that are apparent in your body. These could be things such as:
- a high state of inflammation;
- a state of lowered function and depletion (think about how you feel after running a marathon, working extra at your job for a few months, getting through final exams, or overcoming a prolonged illness);
- a state of stress or internal tension, blocking proper energy flow and circulation;
- and/or other imbalances.
A practitioner trained in fertility support will combine acupuncture points known to enhance blood flow to the reproductive organs, support proper hormonal balance, and relieve stress, with acupuncture points that are specific for your particular body and constitution.
How Else Can I Support My Egg Quality and Quantity?
Chinese medicine believes that moderation is key. We think highly of the 80/20 rule -- 80% of the time you live life in moderation and up to 20% of the time you can get a little out of balance.
Sleep about 7-8 hours a night on a regular schedule, eat 3 nutritious meals a day at regular times, get a moderate amount of exercise at moderate intensity. Then if you have one "cheat" day a week or you have a certain day of the week you stay up late or consume alcohol, your body can rebalance from those changes.
A trained practitioner will support you in recommended specific nutritional or lifestyle changes that can enhance your fertility and support you in having the family of your dreams.
If you have questions about supporting your fertility, reach out to Inspire Family Acupuncture in Lafayette, CA or Oakland, CA, and we'll be delighted to help you!
