The quest for improved fertility can lead many down unexpected paths. Our latest deep dive explores a fascinating intersection between ancient practice and modern reproductive medicine—acupuncture's potential role in enhancing fertility through improved blood flow.
We unpack the concept of uterine artery impedance—essentially the resistance blood encounters flowing to reproductive organs—and why it matters so critically for creating an optimal environment for pregnancy. When impedance is high, less blood reaches the uterus and ovaries, potentially compromising the delivery of oxygen and nutrients necessary for healthy reproductive function.
Research dating back to 1996 shows promising connections between acupuncture treatments and measurable improvements in blood flow dynamics. Studies published in Human Reproduction found electroacupuncture significantly reduced resistance in uterine arteries of women with fertility challenges. More recent investigations with IVF patients demonstrate manual acupuncture improved blood flow directly in the endometrium itself, potentially enhancing its receptivity to embryo implantation. A 2019 study even associated electroacupuncture with retrieving more mature eggs during fertility procedures.
The mechanism likely involves acupuncture's effects on the nervous system, particularly its ability to modulate sympathetic nervous system response, promoting vasodilation—widening blood vessels to allow greater blood flow to reproductive organs. This elegantly simple physical change may explain the observed improvements in both uterine receptivity and potentially egg quality.
Wondering if acupuncture might complement your fertility journey? Visit the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness at www.berkleycenter.com or call 212-685-0985 for guidance from specialists familiar with these protocols. Have you tried acupuncture or other complementary approaches alongside conventional fertility treatments? We'd love to hear your experiences!
Episode Transcript
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
We know many of you are lookingfor solid info fast, especially
around fertility.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Absolutely, and today we're exploring something
specific acupuncture.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Right Specifically how it might fit in as a
complementary support forreproductive health.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Exactly, we're going to look at research connecting
acupuncture to well to bloodflow uterine and ovarian blood
flow.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Okay, so our mission today?
Understand if acupuncture canpotentially boost fertility by
tackling something calleduterine artery impedance.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
That's the plan, tackling that concept first.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Good idea.
So uterine artery impedancesounds a bit technical.
What is it really?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, basically it's a measure of resistance.
How hard is it for blood toflow through those uterine
arteries?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Okay, resistance, and why is high resistance a
problem?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Well, if there's high resistance or high impedance,
you get less blood flow reachingthe uterus.
And that matters, becauseBecause good blood flow is key.
It delivers oxygen, nutrients,everything the uterine line
needs to prepare for a potentialpregnancy, and the ovaries need
it too, for healthy eggs.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Got it so poor flow, potentially more challenging
environment.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
That's the concern.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
yes, so where does acupuncture come into this
picture?
How might it help?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Well, the idea researchers are investigating is
that acupuncture might helpdecrease that resistance, lower
the impedance.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Leading to better blood flow.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Potentially yes.
Studies have looked at bothmanual acupuncture just the
needles and electroacupuncture,where a small current is used.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
And what are these studies finding?
Is there evidence for this?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
There is some interesting research.
There was a study back in 96,actually published in Human
Reproduction.
It found thatelectroacupuncture significantly
reduced something called thepulsatility index.
That's a key measure of thisresistance in the uterine
arteries of women strugglingwith infertility.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
So a measurable change suggesting improved blood
flow to the uterus.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Exactly, and then more recently, a trial looked at
women going through IVF.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Ah, connecting it more directly to fertility
treatments.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Right.
This study found that manualacupuncture actually improved
blood flow measures right in theendometrium itself, the uterine
lining yes, which suggests, youknow, maybe it enhances
endometrial receptivity.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Okay, that makes sense.
If the lining gets better bloodflow, it's maybe better
prepared.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
That's the idea More receptive, potentially improving
the chances for an embryo toimplant.
That IVF study pointed towardsthat connection.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
And you mentioned ovaries earlier.
Does improved blood flow helpthere too?
Maybe with egg quality?
Speaker 2 (02:36):
It seems plausible.
The ovaries definitely needgood circulation.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
For the developing eggs, uh-huh.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
To get the nutrients and oxygen they need to mature
properly.
So, yes, the thinking is thatif acupuncture improves blood
flow to the ovaries, it mightsupport better egg quality.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Is there research on that specific point?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
There is A 2019 study .
For instance, found thatelectroacupuncture was
associated with retrieving moremature eggs.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Interesting.
So we see these potentialeffects reducing resistance,
improving flow, maybe helpingthe lining in eggs.
But how Do we know themechanism behind how acupuncture
might do this?
Speaker 2 (03:11):
That's still being actively researched.
It's complex.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
No single easy answer yet.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Not definitively, no, but one leading theory involves
the nervous system.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
How so.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
The idea is that acupuncture might sort of
modulate the nervous system.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Maybe calming parts of it, like the sympathetic
nervous system.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Which could then lead to vasodilation.
That just means the bloodvessels widen or relax.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Ah, widening the vessels allows more blood
through.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Exactly Improved blood flow to the uterus and
ovaries.
That early study we mentioned,the 1996 one, suggested this
nervous system link might beinvolved.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
So, wrapping this up, the main takeaway seems to be
that acupuncture shows promisebased on research, as a
complementary therapy.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Right, specifically by potentially improving blood
flow dynamics, reducing thatimpedance in the reproductive
organs.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And this improved flow could in turn positively
influence endometrialreceptivity.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
And maybe even support egg quality.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Yeah, for anyone listening who wants to dig
deeper or find practitioners, isthere a resource you can share?
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yes, the source material mentioned the Berkley
Center for Reproductive Wellness.
Their website iswwwberkleycentercom.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Okay, wwwberkleycentercom, and they
also listed a phone numberwwwberkeleycentercom.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
And they also listed a phone number 212-685-0985.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Great, thank you.
212-685-0985.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Of course.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
This has been really eliminating.
It really highlights howinterconnected everything in the
body is, doesn't it?
It really does, which kind ofmakes you wonder, thinking about
these connections, what othertraditional or perhaps
overlooked practices might holdhidden benefits for our overall
well-being, maybe even fertilitysomething to ponder.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Definitely food for thought.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Thanks for joining us for this deep dive.
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