Falling pregnant is unfortunately often not as easy as we would like. Many factors may contribute to this, including functional infertility due to conditions such as polycystic ovaries and endometriosis, as well as unexplained male and female infertility.

Also some couples are waiting later to conceive, which also further reduces the chances to conceive.  Acupuncture may play an important role for both partners. Acupuncture works by balancing the hormonal cycle, relieving stress and providing optimum health for both partners.

Using acupuncture to improve the menstrual cycle, or improve sperm quality can improve the chances of conception. The aim is to provide optimal health for both partners to give your baby the best possible start in life.

Suzanne works with couple or individuals who are trying to conceive either naturally or through assisted conception (IUI / IVF / ICSI, including donor sperm and egg cycles).

Infertility is defined as ‘failing to get pregnant after two years of regular unprotected sex’ by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

• IUI (intra-uterine insemination)
• IVF (in vitro fertilisation)
• ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection)

Male infertility

More evidence suggests that male infertility may affect many couples trying to conceive.  There are many factors which may affect sperm quality, these include many lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, recreational and prescription drugs, stress, over-eating and obesity.  However, other causes may be due to infection, viscectomny reversal and undescended testes.

There is current evidence which suggests that acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine may improve the quality of sperm (count, morphology and motility). As the sperm cycle is approximately 72 days, then treatment would be 2-3 months to try and achieve optimal results.

There is some evidence that Chinese Herbal Medicine may help those with anti-sperm anitbodies (AsAb), which is also a know cause of infertilty.

Factors

• Male infertility; low sperm count, poor morphology, poor motiltiy, anti-sperm anti-bodies.
• Female infertitly: PCOS, endometriosis, fibriods, immune issues, high FSH, ovulatory problems, irregular periods. no periods, amenorrhoea, egg quality, luteal phase defect.
• Unknown