Fertility is a very emotive topic for all of us. Our ability to reproduce and have children is fundamental to us as human beings. The desire to do so is literally written in our DNA yet we barely give it a thought until it goes wrong!

More often than not I’m the last port of call when a couple is on this journey. However, there is more evidence-based research on the efficacy of acupuncture for fertility than any other area of medicine. Acupuncture can regulate periods, rebalance hormones, improve egg quality, improve sperm count and quality and help prevent miscarriage in the first trimester. It also increases the success rate of IVF by up to 60%.

The first thing I do when a patient or couple attends me for fertility treatment is gather as much information as possible. I’ll look at any tests that have already been performed as well as going through a pretty extensive medical history. I really like it when the couple attends but let’s face it, men are still a bit reticent when it comes to these things. However, there is almost a 50/50 split between male/female when it comes to fertility problems! If the issue is one of poor quality semen then acupuncture treatment, sometimes supported by lifestyle and dietary changes, can dramatically improve sperm count and quality. Interestingly, acupuncture can help with premature ejaculation too.

When treating women for fertility I like to empower them by helping them gain control of their fertility using Basal Body Temperature charts and vaginal secretions among other things. Knowing such things can tell us whether we’re ovulating, when we’re ovulating and where potentially our cycle may be going wrong. Acupuncture can then be used to rectify any of these problems. Knowing your body is incredibly empowering and taking control has huge psychological benefits also.

For patients that are undergoing assisted fertility then every effort is made to support them along their journey, from actual treatment to liaising with other acupuncturists for pre- and post-implantation treatments if the implantation procedure isn’t taking place in Cork. IVF can really take a toll on women both physically and emotionally and acupuncture is fantastic at keeping those things in check.

It’s very difficult to encapsulate what acupuncture has to offer fertility patients in such a short article but perhaps one of my patient’s says it best… “Trying to get pregnant is the most stressful time and there are very few people that you can discuss it with and I mean really talk about your innermost thoughts and feelings. I look forward to my session every week, it’s an hour invested in me! Over the moon that I’m nearly 4 months pregnant. I have had no morning sickness and all is going great. Acupuncture is definitely an investment that I would recommend to everyone, both mentally and physically – I feel better than I ever have.”

Check out my FB page, FionaBarryAcupuncturist, for more information.