Fertility
The positive role of acupuncture
In the last 20 years, about one third of my patients, both men and women, have had fertility problems. There is a huge amount of anecdotal evidence in the public domain, on television, in the press and on social media (Mumsnet, Fertility Friends, etc.) about the positive role of acupuncture for people trying to conceive naturally or with IVF.
This anecdotal evidence comes from people who feel they have experienced the benefits of acupuncture, because they wish to enhance their natural fertility, and because they want support when having IVF/ICSI/FET treatment.
Although the anecdotal evidence is strong, the research evidence is not conclusive and some of the more positive research evidence is of low quality. Because of this many doctors are very sceptical and/or negative about acupuncture.
My approach
The focus of my approach is to ascertain how any imbalances in your energy system are impacting on your fertility. With all patients, I use acupuncture to treat the whole person not just the symptoms.
I use an empathetic approach and my experience, to guide, advise and help you to navigate your way on a journey which can be difficult and emotionally challenging, especially the IVF process.
Medical support
Most fertility patients are already consulting either their GP, or a fertility specialist, either within the NHS or privately. Some consultants refer their patients to me. Rarely, you will not have consulted your GP or a specialist. In this case, depending on the circumstances, I will suggest you talk to your GP so that you can have basic blood tests to ascertain:
in the case of a woman, if you are ovulating
in the case of a man, to determine the quality and quantity of your sperm.
In the rare event that the GP is unwilling or unable to do this, I will suggest a private referral to a fertility consultant.
IVF/ICSI/FET
Many women contact me because they have been referred by their GP for IVF/ICSI/FET treatment and they approach me to have acupuncture to support this.
All prospective patients need to be aware that there are no guarantees that acupuncture will work in every case.
There are many reasons why conception fails to occur. Luck plays a big part, as well as physical problems such as a fibroid(s), or malformed uterus. Lifestyle often can play a role, including stress and overwork.
Pregnancy
Enhance your chance of a healthy pregnancy
For those women who fall pregnant either naturally or as a result of fertility treatment, I offer treatment throughout your pregnancy. Treatment aims to help you to:
maintain and sustain you and your baby through the first three months
manage nausea in first three months
stay healthy throughout your pregnancy
increase likelihood of a successful delivery - there is some evidence that treatment throughout a pregnancy may have a beneficial effect at childbirth
"Infertility is one of those hidden illness. You don’t feel sick from it but it affects your life none the less. When I started acupuncture I really was not sure I noticed much change. However, when I missed sessions, and eventually had to stop sessions because of lockdown, the difference was really noticeable. One day the start of my period fell on a day I had treatment. Normally this is the worst day for me but I came out of that session feeling on top of the world!
I had tried two cycles of IVF; the first failed and the second resulted in a devastating miscarriage. Working with Geoff has been amazing, using acupuncture to bring back the balance in my body and life! I just wish I had found him sooner. For the third round of IVF I decided to use acupuncture. I conceived again and this time gave birth at home to a beautiful 9lb baby boy. I had a very easy and beautiful pregnancy and I put that all down to acupuncture."
— Anon