Acupuncture has been recognized as a fertility enhancing approach
through its restoration of balance to the body and the internal systems
responsible for regulating hormones.
Acupuncture is a form of alternative
medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine involving
inserting thin needles into the body and it’s based on the theory that energy,
flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians.
Nordica Fertility Centre’s
Infertility Counselor/Acupuncturist, Dr. Esther Odiete, at the Physicians
Roundtable at in Lagos, recently with theme: ‘Transforming Infertility
Treatment- In line with global advancements’ affirmed that acupuncture
could benefit IVF patients beyond potentially improving rates of IVF
pregnancy success.
Odiete said by giving a patient
acupuncture before IVF is done has resulted into positive results from
practical experience and several studies globally. She affirmed that
acupuncture stimulates the neurotransmitters that trigger the production of
gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, which controls the menstrual cycle and a
woman’s ovulation.
It is also believed to stimulate
blood flow to the uterus and boost the production of endogenous opioids,
inducing the body to relax. Odiete said acupuncture is best before
embarking on IVF, during stimulation, before and after embryo transfer. She
said countless benefits of acupuncture include reduction of anxiety,
stress, and hormones secreted during stressful situations which significantly
decrease fertility.
It also increases blood flow to the
uterus, thus thickening the uterine lining, which improves the chances of an
ovum implanting on the uterine wall and normalises the systems that regulate
ovulation, especially in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,
PCOS. “Acupuncture could benefit IVF patients beyond potentially improving
rates of IVF pregnancy success, noting that it is relatively safe and
inexpensive and may aid patients in coping with the emotional and psychological
challenges related to IVF and infertility, she said
“It regulates the menstruation and improves
ovulation. Improves egg quality by nourishing the follicles with adequate blood
supply. It terms of physiological effects, it increases circulation, decreased
inflammation, relief from pain, relief of muscle spasms, increased T-cell count
which stimulates the immune system.
Dr. Abayomi Ajayi on his part said:
“The physicians’ roundtable is to bring doctors together to share knowledge and
ideas on the latest happenings in the world of IVF. It is supposed to be a
quarterly programme and we will make more regular. People are more aware
of infertility in Nigeria and are coming out for treatment.
“You know there is a difference
between awareness and knowledge. Although the knowledge is still very
superficial and that is why we really want to address. To make everybody to
understand IVF, know what to expect from it and nobody can take you for a ride
in the name of IVF.
He added: “The idea of this project
was five years ago, I was in the USA and made some inquiries and I observed
that acupuncture was beneficial and came with the question what can I do? So we
had to send someone to China. But my surprise is the way people took it. They
can see the benefits.” Nordica, Lagos registered about 600 new patients
every year with over 500 treatments in 2014.
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