Acupuncture

[MoominGirl]

I've been having acupuncture for fertility for about 6 months now and I'm just not sure it's doing anything for me. I've never had any previous experience of acupuncture so I've nothing to compare it to but I know a lot of you lovely ladies may have had it.

I enjoy the sessions and find my acupuncturist really easy to talk to so I definitely get something out of being able to vent about how crap life is but I'm not sure I'm getting anything out of the acupuncture itself. My periods have always been clotty and painful. She said at the beginning that this should improve but I can honestly say that there's no difference whatsoever.

I don't know whether acupuncture just isn't for me or whether my acupuncturist just isn't very good (I don't mean that to sound horrible but I have nothing to compare her to). Realistically, I think we will be doing IVF next year and I've read about the benefits of it alongside IVF but I'm thinking if I'm not seeing any changes now then is it going to help? Also, I'm sort of thinking that if I do want to try a different acupuncturist, I should do it soon before starting IVF.

Would really appreciate hearing of any acupuncture experiences and what benefits if any you got out of it. Trying to decide whether to give someone else a shot or give it up all together.

 

[xMillie]

For me I found it relaxing and nice to have a place to vent but that was about it I guess?

I last had sessions before and during my ivf cycle and never went back after I got a bfn.
I don't plan on going back for my fet as I don't think it will make a difference to the outcome.

Is your acupuncturist zita west affiliated?
https://www.zitawest.com/network/
Maybe you could find another to try if you want to continue with it?

 

[MoominGirl]

Thanks for replying.

My acupuncturist isn't Zita West affiliated. I can only find one in my area but I'm not sure about seeing a man? I know that sounds bad and I never have a problem with male doctors etc. Do you think think being Zita West affiliated makes a difference?

I kinda just feel that I'm paying to have a moan and I'm not sure that makes it worth it haha. That's why I wanted to see a difference in my cycles as kind of a way of proving to myself it's worthwhile if you know what I mean but I'm just not getting that. I just have so little experience of these sorts of things that I don't want to stop doing it if it's a case of just changing therapist would solve the problem.

 

[xMillie]

I'm honestly not sure! But when I was asking about acupuncture here (or on another forum I can't remember) someone said to make sure they are Zita west affiliated. I think they go through a lot of courses and training.

Hmm, yes I'm not sure I wouldn't want to see a man for it either.. though I almost did as they were closer but they never got back to me.

How often are you having sessions? xx

 

[MoominGirl]

Might try and do a bit of research about what being Zita West affiliated actually means. If it seems worth it then I think I could get over seeing a man. I've got to a point where I really am leaving my dignity at the door!! The one I've found is actually quite near me so it would definitely be possible. Website doesn't list prices so may need to drop an email.

I've been having sessions roughly every 2 weeks. It's sometimes tricky to schedule appointments around work so if I can find someone that makes it easier, all the better. It was bad enough finding the one I've got as so many don't do evenings or weekends.

 

[xMillie]

Hmm yes have a search. I just took someone's word for it, had no idea what I was doing but just wanted to give it a try.

It'll probably vary but I think it was £45 I paid. Which was for 45mins. No idea if that was good or bad.

Yes it can be hard to fit in especially if they don't do weekends.

 

[Sugarpop]

Just a guess here but could you ask your clinic? My clinic has posters everywhere about it now and also recommends certain people

 

[MoominGirl]

Millie - that's about the price around here. I pay slightly less than that when I block book but costs really do mount up!! I think I'm going to let the current one down gently as lovely as she is. Hopefully I will find someone else that I can see around work.

Sugarpop - that's a good idea about the clinic. We're currently in as we're waiting for our first appointment with the new clinic. It's a bit of a drive from us so any recommendations may be too far but it's definitely something I hadn't thought of so thank you!

 

[tinselcat]

I had acupuncture fit almost 6 months before last round of ivf. I didn't get pregnant. But I've heard good things for other people, and even the hospital consultant said it was worth trying.

I definitely felt it improve my health immediately on the days I turned up unwell, coughs and colds and the like!

 

[MoominGirl]

I had acupuncture fit almost 6 months before last round of ivf. I didn't get pregnant. But I've heard good things for other people, and even the hospital consultant said it was worth trying.

I definitely felt it improve my health immediately on the days I turned up unwell, coughs and colds and the like!

Thanks for sharing your experience tinselcat. Good to hear your doctor also thought it was worth a shot. I'm a little scared to mention it to a doctor seeing as my last fertility doctor spoke to me like I was an idiot when I asked about Wellman vitamins.

I've heard so many good things about it but I don't get any of the effects you describe. I think I need to find someone else just so I know I've given it a good go. I don't want to ditch it and it turns out I'm just not seeing the right person.

 

[mrsbass]

I had acupuncture when I was doing iui. I don’t have any issues ovulating and my periods are regular. I just can’t seem to get pregnant naturally. I don’t think acupuncture helps at all to be honest. But when you’re desperate you’ll try anything. I say this even though I’m pregnant from my first ivf cycle and I’m still going . And frankly I’m only going because I’ll take any hope to see a successful pregnancy. At £45 for 45m it’s a lot of money but I do it because it’s not a huge financial burden for me.

I think zitawest and her clinic are a big con. They and most for profit fertility specialists prey on our vulnerabilities. I know that’s sweeping but I don’t believe being affiliated with her makes the acupuncturist any better. This is a marketing con. Using her brand under licence which the acupuncturist pays her for.

I’d say if you’re gonna do acupuncture then do it close to home and forget about affiliation to zitawest

If you’re doing ivf next year I’d suggest if you don’t have it funded then paying privately at an nhs hospital. They may not offer all the fancy options but that’s because there are not enough clinical trials to justify offering the so called ‘add-on’ treatments the private clinics offer


Good luck xx

 

[MoominGirl]

I had acupuncture when I was doing iui. I don’t have any issues ovulating and my periods are regular. I just can’t seem to get pregnant naturally. I don’t think acupuncture helps at all to be honest. But when you’re desperate you’ll try anything. I say this even though I’m pregnant from my first ivf cycle and I’m still going . And frankly I’m only going because I’ll take any hope to see a successful pregnancy. At £45 for 45m it’s a lot of money but I do it because it’s not a huge financial burden for me.

I think zitawest and her clinic are a big con. They and most for profit fertility specialists prey on our vulnerabilities. I know that’s sweeping but I don’t believe being affiliated with her makes the acupuncturist any better. This is a marketing con. Using her brand under licence which the acupuncturist pays her for.

I’d say if you’re gonna do acupuncture then do it close to home and forget about affiliation to zitawest

If you’re doing ivf next year I’d suggest if you don’t have it funded then paying privately at an nhs hospital. They may not offer all the fancy options but that’s because there are not enough clinical trials to justify offering the so called ‘add-on’ treatments the private clinics offer


Good luck xx

Thanks so much for your reply mrsbass. I really appreciate the other side of the argument and truthfully I've had a lot of these concerns myself. I think it's the fact that I know so little about it really that it's perfectly possible that it is a lot of rubbish. But as you say by this point I really will try anything. My OH basically said give someone else a go cos if it does work, it will be cheaper than another go at IVF but if I don't see any benefit this time then we ditch it completely. We've agreed that's a reasonable plan. At the moment I feel like I'm just pouring more money down the drain.

The reason I mentioned Zita west is cos one acupuncturist I've found is actually closer to me than my current one. I totally agree about not travelling for it. This is the one I'm swaying towards but more due to the reduction in travel time and the fact that they seem to do most evenings.

Like you, I also have regular cycles and no issues with ovulation. My periods are very clotty and painful though which the acupuncturist said would get better with treatment. That's why I'm using it as a guide as it's something I can actually measure.

We are NHS funded but will only get one cycle. The process here seems to be refer to fertility at a hospital then refer to a private clinic which also treats NHS patients. I'm already very dubious about the intentions of the private sector but it seems like we may not be able to avoid it. Glad to hear I'm not alone though.

 

[miamia]

I had acupuncture fit almost 6 months before last round of ivf. I didn't get pregnant. But I've heard good things for other people, and even the hospital consultant said it was worth trying.

A friend of mine had it before and during her IVF. May be a total coincidence, however she got pregnant.

 

[Syd43]

I haven’t read all the replies but here’s my two penneth for what it’s worth.

I had regular acupuncture for a year before I moved away from the uk and have had several natural pregnancies, age 44 1/2 at the first one (all miscarriages almost certainly down to egg age). Many clinics now have acupuncturists that they recommend and it’s fairly common practice to have sessions directly before and after transfer during ivf. People that it hasn’t worked for are going to say it doesn’t work. I personally think there is something in it, my acupuncturists felt that I had a couple of issues, both of which were later confirmed with testing at a fertility clinic. I noticed a general improvement in my cycle and a reduction in pre-af spotting when I was having it done.

I think it’s about finidig the right therapist and I don’t believe they have to be Zita West affiliates. I’ve heard a couple of people (therapists, not just acupuncturists) say that the Zita West method is very rigid which is not how complementary therapy should be. My acupuncturist has an amazing track record for helping women that were having difficulties get pregnant.

According to the fertility therapists I’ve seen (acupuncture and reflexology) periods should not be very clotty and painful, she should have been able to help you with that.

You should go with your gut, if you don’t think it’s working for you maybe stop but look for another therapist to try?

Best of luck.

 

[Syd43]

Oh, one more thing. I’ve had acupuncture for a few different things over the years and none of it helped. I decided to try it for fertility really out of desperation without any expectation of it doing anything but this time it was a whole different experience.

 

[Sugarpop]

I had acupuncture after a car crash (pain purposes) and it caused more pain.

However, I spoke to hubby about it this evening and he agreed that it is worth a go. I’m not expecting anything from it as my body never plays by the rules but will give it a go in the new year.

 

[MoominGirl]

I haven’t read all the replies but here’s my two penneth for what it’s worth.

I had regular acupuncture for a year before I moved away from the uk and have had several natural pregnancies, age 44 1/2 at the first one (all miscarriages almost certainly down to egg age). Many clinics now have acupuncturists that they recommend and it’s fairly common practice to have sessions directly before and after transfer during ivf. People that it hasn’t worked for are going to say it doesn’t work. I personally think there is something in it, my acupuncturists felt that I had a couple of issues, both of which were later confirmed with testing at a fertility clinic. I noticed a general improvement in my cycle and a reduction in pre-af spotting when I was having it done.

I think it’s about finidig the right therapist and I don’t believe they have to be Zita West affiliates. I’ve heard a couple of people (therapists, not just acupuncturists) say that the Zita West method is very rigid which is not how complementary therapy should be. My acupuncturist has an amazing track record for helping women that were having difficulties get pregnant.

According to the fertility therapists I’ve seen (acupuncture and reflexology) periods should not be very clotty and painful, she should have been able to help you with that.

You should go with your gut, if you don’t think it’s working for you maybe stop but look for another therapist to try?

Best of luck.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I totally agree with what you said about my acupuncturist being able to help with my periods. She said that the treatment should help but in 6 months I've seen no change whatsoever. I don't want to dismiss acupuncture based on one therapist which is why I'm prepared to give another one a go. It may simply be that she's not the right therapist or I might have the same experience again, in which case I can assume that acupuncture isn't going to help me. I'm going to email a few other therapists and hopefully find someone more suitable.

 

[mrsbass]

I had acupuncture when I was doing iui. I don’t have any issues ovulating and my periods are regular. I just can’t seem to get pregnant naturally. I don’t think acupuncture helps at all to be honest. But when you’re desperate you’ll try anything. I say this even though I’m pregnant from my first ivf cycle and I’m still going . And frankly I’m only going because I’ll take any hope to see a successful pregnancy. At £45 for 45m it’s a lot of money but I do it because it’s not a huge financial burden for me.

I think zitawest and her clinic are a big con. They and most for profit fertility specialists prey on our vulnerabilities. I know that’s sweeping but I don’t believe being affiliated with her makes the acupuncturist any better. This is a marketing con. Using her brand under licence which the acupuncturist pays her for.

I’d say if you’re gonna do acupuncture then do it close to home and forget about affiliation to zitawest

If you’re doing ivf next year I’d suggest if you don’t have it funded then paying privately at an nhs hospital. They may not offer all the fancy options but that’s because there are not enough clinical trials to justify offering the so called ‘add-on’ treatments the private clinics offer


Good luck xx

Thanks so much for your reply mrsbass. I really appreciate the other side of the argument and truthfully I've had a lot of these concerns myself. I think it's the fact that I know so little about it really that it's perfectly possible that it is a lot of rubbish. But as you say by this point I really will try anything. My OH basically said give someone else a go cos if it does work, it will be cheaper than another go at IVF but if I don't see any benefit this time then we ditch it completely. We've agreed that's a reasonable plan. At the moment I feel like I'm just pouring more money down the drain.

The reason I mentioned Zita west is cos one acupuncturist I've found is actually closer to me than my current one. I totally agree about not travelling for it. This is the one I'm swaying towards but more due to the reduction in travel time and the fact that they seem to do most evenings.

Like you, I also have regular cycles and no issues with ovulation. My periods are very clotty and painful though which the acupuncturist said would get better with treatment. That's why I'm using it as a guide as it's something I can actually measure.

We are NHS funded but will only get one cycle. The process here seems to be refer to fertility at a hospital then refer to a private clinic which also treats NHS patients. I'm already very dubious about the intentions of the private sector but it seems like we may not be able to avoid it. Glad to hear I'm not alone though.

I do think you should do acupuncture only because my clinic does recommend it but also why not give yourself an extra albeit possibly 2% chance of conceiving. Take every opportunity you can. Better to have tried and failed than to not try and live with regrets.
I was funded for 1 ivf cycle too. It never occurred to me to refer to a private clinic from the nhs but I did enquire with care fertility just after I got the confirmation that I was being put in the waiting list, I asked DH fog us to go private since the nhs was another 3m before my first appointment to start treatment. I’m glad he talked me out of it. I was getting so
Impatient with it all .

Anyway the nhs clinic did recommend acupuncture and my acupuncturist is tied to a local nhs hospital. He’s a man by the way. Like I said I have no idea if anything he does works but I’m going to do all I can to give myself the best chance.

Fingers crossed you get pregnant naturally and won’t need ivf.
Xx

 

[MoominGirl]

I had acupuncture when I was doing iui. I don’t have any issues ovulating and my periods are regular. I just can’t seem to get pregnant naturally. I don’t think acupuncture helps at all to be honest. But when you’re desperate you’ll try anything. I say this even though I’m pregnant from my first ivf cycle and I’m still going . And frankly I’m only going because I’ll take any hope to see a successful pregnancy. At £45 for 45m it’s a lot of money but I do it because it’s not a huge financial burden for me.

I think zitawest and her clinic are a big con. They and most for profit fertility specialists prey on our vulnerabilities. I know that’s sweeping but I don’t believe being affiliated with her makes the acupuncturist any better. This is a marketing con. Using her brand under licence which the acupuncturist pays her for.

I’d say if you’re gonna do acupuncture then do it close to home and forget about affiliation to zitawest

If you’re doing ivf next year I’d suggest if you don’t have it funded then paying privately at an nhs hospital. They may not offer all the fancy options but that’s because there are not enough clinical trials to justify offering the so called ‘add-on’ treatments the private clinics offer


Good luck xx

Thanks so much for your reply mrsbass. I really appreciate the other side of the argument and truthfully I've had a lot of these concerns myself. I think it's the fact that I know so little about it really that it's perfectly possible that it is a lot of rubbish. But as you say by this point I really will try anything. My OH basically said give someone else a go cos if it does work, it will be cheaper than another go at IVF but if I don't see any benefit this time then we ditch it completely. We've agreed that's a reasonable plan. At the moment I feel like I'm just pouring more money down the drain.

The reason I mentioned Zita west is cos one acupuncturist I've found is actually closer to me than my current one. I totally agree about not travelling for it. This is the one I'm swaying towards but more due to the reduction in travel time and the fact that they seem to do most evenings.

Like you, I also have regular cycles and no issues with ovulation. My periods are very clotty and painful though which the acupuncturist said would get better with treatment. That's why I'm using it as a guide as it's something I can actually measure.

We are NHS funded but will only get one cycle. The process here seems to be refer to fertility at a hospital then refer to a private clinic which also treats NHS patients. I'm already very dubious about the intentions of the private sector but it seems like we may not be able to avoid it. Glad to hear I'm not alone though.

I do think you should do acupuncture only because my clinic does recommend it but also why not give yourself an extra albeit possibly 2% chance of conceiving. Take every opportunity you can. Better to have tried and failed than to not try and live with regrets.
I was funded for 1 ivf cycle too. It never occurred to me to refer to a private clinic from the nhs but I did enquire with care fertility just after I got the confirmation that I was being put in the waiting list, I asked DH fog us to go private since the nhs was another 3m before my first appointment to start treatment. I’m glad he talked me out of it. I was getting so
Impatient with it all .

Anyway the nhs clinic did recommend acupuncture and my acupuncturist is tied to a local nhs hospital. He’s a man by the way. Like I said I have no idea if anything he does works but I’m going to do all I can to give myself the best chance.

Fingers crossed you get pregnant naturally and won’t need ivf.
Xx

I do want to give it another go more just to satisfy myself that I've given it a good go. If I'm still not getting anywhere with another therapist, I'll be comfortable with the decision to stop completely.

I've also got frustrated at times and threatened to go private. I've resisted so far but I'm glad I have as I'd hate to think how much all the tests and procedures that we've had so far would have cost. NHS wait times seem to be better where I am compared to other areas from what I've read.

One of the acupuncturists that I've contacted is a man. I was a bit reluctant at first but I've decided that it doesn't matter and either it will help or it won't. I think it's worth a try before we need to resort to IVF.

 

[Syd43]

Moomin what part of the country are you in?