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Enhancing IUI Success with Acupuncture
Acupuncture, as a complementary treatment with Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), can significantly increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. While fertility medications effectively boost follicles' numbers, they often don't enhance egg quality. This is where acupuncture and Chinese medicine come into play, improving both follicle count and quality by creating a favourable environment for egg growth and maturity, ultimately leading to enhanced conception and successful pregnancy outcomes.
How Does Acupuncture Aid IUI?
- It enhances the health of eggs and follicles.
- It helps regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian-axis.
- It increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, boosting implantation rates.
- It reduces the side effects associated with fertility medications.
- It holds the sympathetic nervous system, reducing stress, which is crucial for positive pregnancy results.
- It aids in implantation by preventing uterine contractions.
Understanding IUI
Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, involves placing washed sperm directly into the uterus, increasing the chances of sperm reaching the Fallopian tubes. It can be done during a natural cycle or with fertility medications. These medications stimulate ovulation or the production of multiple ovulating follicles, unlike a regular menstrual cycle where only one egg is released. Increasing the number of mature eggs released enhances the likelihood of fertilization.
Typically, an ultrasound is conducted around day 12 of the menstrual cycle to monitor development, sometimes combined with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to trigger ovulation and egg release within 24-36 hours.
IUI is particularly beneficial in cases of:
- Mild fertility issues.
- Unexplained fertility.
- Cervical factor infertility.
- Male factor infertility (issues with count, motility, or morphology).
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Use of donor sperm.
Optimal Acupuncture Timing for IUI
Weekly acupuncture treatments three months before the IUI procedure are recommended for the best results. This approach prepares your body optimally, enhancing the success rate of the IUI process.