Trying to conceive can take time, and it can be stressful. Some couples look into acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) along the way. This article gives an honest overview.
When to see a doctor
It’s generally recommended to see your GP if you’ve been trying to conceive for 12 months without success, or after 6 months if the woman is 35 or older. See your GP sooner if periods are very irregular or absent, if there is a known condition such as endometriosis or PCOS, or if either partner has a history that may affect fertility. Both partners should be assessed.
What the research says
There isn’t good-quality evidence that acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine improves the chances of natural conception or live birth. Research on acupuncture during IVF, which has been studied more, has not shown an improvement in live birth rates in large trials. We won’t promise that TCM will help you get pregnant.
Why some couples still choose TCM
Some people use acupuncture for general wellbeing and stress support while they’re trying to conceive, or because they want an approach that looks at sleep, diet and lifestyle as a whole. That’s a reasonable choice, as long as it doesn’t delay medical assessment.
A note on herbs
Some herbs aren’t suitable when trying to conceive or in early pregnancy. Any herbal prescription should only follow a full consultation, and you should let your GP or specialist know what you’re taking.
Booking
If you’d like to talk it through, book a free 20-minute consultation at our St Lucia clinic. Book a free consultation or call 0434 743 569.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Individual experiences vary. Please speak with your GP or a fertility specialist about trying to conceive.
