Acupuncture, the traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses hair-thin needles to treat pain, allergies, and nausea, is showing promise as a treatment for female infertility. Researchers from New York’s Weill Cornell Medical Centre recently reviewed existing sutdies and found that acupuncture helps…

1. Reduce stress hormones that interfere with ovulation
2. Normalize hormones that regulate ovulation so an egg is released
3. Increase blood flow to the uterus, improving the chances of a fertilized egg implanting
4. Improve ovulation cycles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which makes getting pregnant difficult. Many women with PCOS seem to find it helpful in kick starting absent periods or regulating cycles.
5. Improve pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Acupuncture is based on the theory that vital energy (or “qi,” pronounced “chi”) flows through the body along certain pathways. Acupuncturists try to balance this energy and restore health by stimulating specific points along the pathways with thin needles.

Traditional acupuncturists treat the whole person rather than a disease and therefore attempt to get to the root cause of the problem rather than treating the symptoms and, like other holistic practitioners, will consider all lifestyle and environmental factors before commencing treatment for infertility. Although it has been a staple of Chinese medicine for some 5,000 years, acupuncture has gained greater acceptance in the medical community only in the past few decades.

Acupuncture is perhaps one of the best researched natural therapies, other than nutrition. There is published evidence that acupuncture works well for such problems as back pain, toothaches and migraines and a growing body of research to suggest that it can help with infertility. In 2002, a team of German researchers discovered that acupuncture significantly increased the odds of pregnancy among a group of 160 women who were undergoing IVF treatment. Forty-two percent of the women who received acupuncture got pregnant, compared to 26 percent of those who didn’t receive the treatment. The researchers speculated that acupuncture helped increase blood flow to the uterus and relax the muscle tissue, giving the embryos a better chance of implanting.

Other research suggests that acupuncture is effective in reducing stress. Since stress has been shown to interfere with getting pregnant, because it can interfere with hormonal balance, it makes sense that reducing your stress through acupuncture could theoretically improve your odds of conceiving. Some women find acupuncture helpful to cope with the stress they feel about trying to conceive.

Acupuncture may also help male infertility. New research shows that acupuncture can significantly improve the quality and health of sperm. In a study published in Fertility and Sterility in 2005, researchers analysed sperm samples from men with infertility of unknown cause before and after acupuncture treatments. They found that acupuncture was associated with fewer structural defects in sperm and an increase in the number of normal sperm.

Although the researchers from Weill Cornell Medical Centre suggested that acupuncture shows great promise for treating fertility problems, many other experts believe that we need larger and better studies, ideally random and double blind, using fake needles for some patients and real ones for others, in order to truly know whether acupuncture is effective. In some of the studies mentioned above, the patients and health care providers knew that acupuncture was performed, which meant that the studies weren’t actually “blind” and the success of the treatment might have been due to what’s known as the placebo effect, the belief that something will help. So perhaps it was the patients’ belief in acupuncture — rather than the acupuncture itself — that accounted for the treatment’s success. It’s difficult to tell.

Perhaps, in the end it doesn’t matter that much whether the success of acupuncture is a placebo effect or not. The bottom line is that acupuncture is safe as long as you contact a qualified practitioner and if it improves fertility — even if it’s only because you think it does — or helps reduce the stress and anxiety associated with infertility and fertility treatment it can be worthwhile.

There are plenty of ways to boost your libido this March without resorting to prescription drugs like Viagra. In addition to healthy eating and regular exercise the following herbs are all thought to be beneficial:

(Note: If you’re on medication, pregnant or hoping to be seek specialist advice before taking these herbs.)

• Agnus Castus (vitex/chasteberry tree) has been shown to stimulate and normalise the function of the pituitary gland which in turn helps to balance sex hormones in women, in particular the ratio of progesterone to oestrogen.
• Damiana, derived from the dried aromatic leaves of a small shrub, has a long folk history dating back to the ancient Mayans as a sexual stimulant. It gently increases sensitivity of nerve endings to produce tingling and throbbing sensations in the genitals. It can be beneficial for those whose loss of sex drive is linked to decreased sensitivity and difficulty in achieving arousal.
• Dong Quai, or Chinese Angelica, is probably the best known Chinese herbal tonic for women. Valued highly in the East it is used to treat the entire reproductive system and encourage normal functioning of sex organs.
• Gingko Biloba is thought to improve blood circulation to the reproductive organs and have a stimulating effect on the genitals. Research on men suffering from erectile dysfunction showed a beneficial effect after six to eight weeks treatment, and after six months half of the patients had regained full potency. Ginkgo is also thought to be helpful for those whose low sex drive is linked to stress and fatigue.
• Siberian Ginseng can help you adapt to physical or emotional stress and fatigue. Ginseng is helpful for those whose low sex drive is linked to stress, over-work, fatigue, or hormone imbalances. It is also helpful for women whose low libido is related to menopausal symptoms.
• Horny Goat Weed: animal studies have demonstrated the aphrodisiac qualities of horny goat weed suggesting that it may influence levels of feel-good chemicals in the body. The leaves of horny goat weed also contain a variety of flavonoids (one prominent flavonoid is Icariin) that positively influence our reproductive health in many ways. For example, Icariin in particular is known to help with erectile function.
• Maca encourages hormonal balance which is great for sex drive as when hormone levels are balanced libido and well being are naturally boosted. So, if a man or woman is experiencing a lower sex drive due to declining levels of a certain hormone Maca increases production of that hormone.
• Passion Flower (Passiflora): studies show that passion flower improves circulation and nutrition to the nerves, including those in the sex organs. It’s a wonderfully stimulating but also relaxing remedy so you can have great sex and awake feeling refreshed and alert in the morning – time and time again.
• Saw Palmetto is a nourishing tonic for the reproductive system and well known remedy for low libido in both men and women for increasing sexual energy and fertility.
• St John’s Wort can significantly boost sex drive in those who are depressed or physically exhausted or for those whose loss of sex drive is linked to anxiety, stress, irritability or low mood. In one recent study, 60 per cent of post-menopausal women who took St John’s Wort for three months said they found themselves feeling more sexy and felt making love was more enjoyable.
• Wild Oat (avena sativa) is often used for stress and fatigue and is an ancient Chinese remedy for sexual decline. It is thought that oats can lower blood pressure and balance hormones and therefore boost desire in men and women.
• Wild Yam is an anti-inflammatory agent with hormone balancing properties, which can improve menstrual function and fertility in women. Yams (sweet potatoes) are a superfood for women because they are a good source of vitamin B6. Several studies have shown that vitamin B6 is essential for hormone balance and fertility in women. Vitamin B6 is also a great health boost for men too as it’s associated with reduced risk of poor health and increased vitality.

Almonds (and nuts in general) are prime sources of essential fatty acids which help maintain a healthy balance of sex hormones in men and women. Almonds are also a good source of zinc. Zinc deficiency in women can lead to infertility and an increased risk of miscarriage. Zinc is crucial for guys too as it is also essential for the production of healthy sperm. In short, zinc is crucial for conception as severe deficiencies can impair fertility.

Strawberries: All fruit and vegetables — particularly kiwi fruit, peppers, strawberries and citrus fruits — contain abundant quantities of vitamin C. In women vitamin C can help trigger ovulation and in men it plays a key role in boosting the immune system, and thus aids a healthy conception. This vitamin may also help to prevent the condition known as ‘agglutination’, in which the sperm become stuck together and are unable to reach the egg.

Green vegetables: Green vegetables contain good levels of vitamin B6 and folic acid. Vitamin B6 is essential for the production of sex hormones and folic acid helps to prevent spina bifida in the baby. Folic acid and zinc together have been shown to increase sperm counts by 74%. You’ll also find folic acid in nuts and legumes but to be on the safe side take a good antenatal vitamin and mineral too (like Fertility Plus).

Sweet potato: A comforting source of manganese. Research has shown that manganese is important for good reproductive function in both men and women — in other words, it’s a baby-making essential.

Oily fish or hemp or flax seeds: Most of us don’t eat enough essential fats, so when you are trying to maximise your fertility it’s a good idea to add them to your diet. Research has shown the benefits of supplementing with essential fatty acids during pregnancy to avoid low birth weight and also the advantages to the growing baby in terms of brain development. EFAs help regulate hormone levels, ensure proper membrane fluidity and improve sperm quality and blood flow. Anything that helps blood get to sexual organs is helpful and, because semen is rich in prostaglandins (hormone-like fatty acids found in healthy oils), EFAs are especially beneficial to men. If you don’t eat fish, flax or hemp seeds are a superb source of essential fatty acids.

Green tea is thought to be an excellent fertility enhancer because it contains a high level of antioxidants which aid in healthy immune systems. Research has shown that women who regularly drink green tea increase their chance of conception.

Water is critical because 75% of your body is made up of water. Your body uses water constantly to do its normal functions. Drinking water will help flush out wastes, keep your body running smoothly and provide proper fluids for conception to occur. So be sure you drink ample water if you wish to get pregnant! Get in the good habit of drinking at least eight glasses of mineral water a day.

Basil has a warming effect on the body and promotes circulation to the reproductive organs. In some parts of Italy, basil is a love-token. Alfalfa is also considered a general reproductive tonic for both men and women.

Chasteberry: This herb (also known as agnus castus) works to increase fertility by stimulating the pituitary gland. This is the gland responsible for producing sex hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Chasteberry should help fertility by balancing the sex hormones.

Dong Quai is a Chinese fertility herb, long-used to solve menstrual difficulties. It also helps to balance oestrogen levels in the body and improve chances of implantation.

Siberian ginseng: By supporting healthy womb function, Siberian ginseng may be useful in female fertility. Men may experience an increased sperm count. Animal studies indicate that the herb can even boost testosterone levels and thus help reverse certain cases of male impotence.

(Note: It is important to speak to a qualified practitioner before taking herbs while you are trying to get pregnant.)

Lentils: A good low fat source of healthy protein. Protein is essential for your fertility because it keeps your blood sugar levels stable and gives your body the even supply of amino acids it needs to build and repair cells and manufacture fertility hormones. Other good sources of protein include quinoa, eggs, vegetables, nuts, seeds and soya products.