I have asked David Cherry, L.Ac., O.M.D. to contribute an article to my website because I respect his work and knowledge. He is a specialist in the field of infertility and in my opinion is the best person to see in the Sacramento area for any couple that wants to have a successful pregnancy. David Cherry and I have worked together for twenty years now, and I can make this recommendation with confidence. —Steve Phillips

Infertility and Acupuncture

Acupuncture in the treatment of infertility has become highly specialized in the last 10 years, due largely to the acupuncturists interaction with western gynecologists and reproductive endocrinologists.

Current estimates are that one couple in five in the United States will be faced with difficulty conceiving a child. That number is rapidly approaching one in four. This may be due to the postponement of childbearing by women seeking a career, or to environmental toxicity, or simply due to stress.

Acupuncture has been shown in many clinical trials to be of benefit to couples having difficulty with conception. Acupuncture can increase pelvic blood flow, decrease stress, improve ovulation, improve overall sperm quality, and generally increase conception and live birth rates in patients suffering from an inability to conceive. Clinical trials have also shown that acupuncture increases pregnancy rates in patients undergoing assisted reproduction therapies, including intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization.

Among other things, acupuncture is known to reset the hypothalmic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which reestablished normal hormonal levels.

In patients who are not undergoing IVF or IUI treatment, frequently traditional Asian herbal medicines are used to enhance fertility along with acupuncture treatments. Herbal medicines have been used safely by women in China and Japan for thousands of years for the treatment of gynecological issues, including infertility. Herbs are used to nourish the body so that the patient can attain greater levels of reproductive health.

Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of male fertility issues, including sperm count, motility, and morphology. Acupuncture can also be an excellent treatment for men who suffer from erectile issues and are unable or unwilling to tolerate the side effects inherent in prescription medications.

Please visit Dr. Cherry’s website at https://roseville-acupuncture.com/page/about/ for more information. His phone number is (916) 789-1007.