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Auricular Acupuncture for Fertility Support
How Does Auricular Acupuncture Improve Fertility?
Auricular acupuncture is a complementary form of treatment that is used in combination with other forms of acupuncture for fertility, such as, needle acupuncture.
Auricular acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the ears (using a pointer device and ear seeds) and it offers an easy to incorporate but efficacious method to help reduce stress and support emotional wellbeing during your fertility journey. It has also been studied to help improve clinical pregnancy rates in Patients that are undergoing In Vitro Fertilization treatments.
There is now an abundance of research on fertility acupuncture protocols to support those undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (IVF, IUI and/or ICSI), however, not all studies have included the auricular acupuncture in their protocols. Currently the research utilizing auricular acupuncture shows promising reductions in stress scores as well as increases in clinical pregnancy rates.
Considering the incredibly high safety profile of auricular acupuncture treatments, its inclusion in current fertility treatment protocols should be strongly considered as a method to help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress that are commonly in couples undergoing fertility treatments. Additionally, the observed increase in clinical pregnancy rates with auricular acupuncture is encouraging to help support positive treatment outcomes. Future studies utilizing auricular acupuncture can help us understand the possible benefits of auricular acupuncture and its mechanisms of action.
Research on Auricular Acupuncture for Fertility
A recent study found that including auricular acupuncture in conjunction with needle acupuncture was able to significantly help reduce stress scores during the embryo transfer stage as well as during the pregnancy test stage when compared to the control group. Additionally they found a significant increase in the clinical pregnancy rate in Patients that utilized the acupuncture protocol when compared to the control group.
Another study found that Patient receiving auricular acupuncture and needle acupuncture treatment (during an IVF treatment cycle) experienced nearly double the clinical pregnancy rate when compared to the control group. All Patients included in this study were originally diagnosed with unexplained infertility.
How does Auricular Acupuncture for Fertility Work?
Auricular acupuncture has been suggested to help improve treatment outcomes through the following crucial mechanisms:
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1. Endorphins: Auricular acupuncture may stimulate the release of beta endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood enhancers. Elevated endorphin levels can promote a sense of well-being and help reduce stress.
2. Neurotransmitters: It might also influence levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play roles in regulating mood and stress responses.
3. Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Activity: Auricular acupuncture can help balance the autonomic nervous system by reducing sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activity and enhancing parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity. This balance helps the body to relax and manage stress more effectively.
4. Cortisol: Auricular acupuncture may influence the levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress. By reducing cortisol levels, it can help lower the physiological impact of stress.
5. Circulation and Relaxation: Improved blood flow and relaxation from auricular acupuncture can contribute to an overall sense of well-being and reduced stress.
6. Neural Pathways: Studies suggest that auricular acupuncture may influence brain areas involved in stress and emotional regulation. By affecting neural pathways, it can help modulate the brain's response to stress.
7. Sleep Improvement: By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, auricular acupuncture may improve sleep quality, which is crucial for overall stress management and emotional health.
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