What do people think of acupuncture?

[Princess P]

Afternoon ladies

i just wondered how many of you out there are TTC and doing acupuncure. I have been to my first 2 sessions but I am not sure if it is for me or not and at £40 a go I want to feel like it is helping or making me feel better!! While 2 sessions is not many and maybe I have not given it a chance it is still £80 possibly wasted and I don't have much money. On the flip side now I have started I feel I can't now give it up or things might not work!

Has anyone got any stories, positive or negative that might help me make up my mind - especially of any early experiences? Also have people found that it has changed their cycles (fo better or worse!!)

Thank you xxxx

 

[jeanettekaren]

I credit chinese acupuncture for my bfp so you could say I was a fan, lol

I was ttc for 4 years unexplained. I booked a course of 15 sessions and got my first bfp (which ended in early mc) after about 11 sessions, approx. 6 weeks into the start of the course. I got this bfp 2 months after my mc.

It didn't alter my cycles, I'm not sure what it did tbh, and maybe it was just coincidence but after 4 years without a single bfp there seems to be more in it than just coincidence

 

[LouiseAndBaba]

I have heard from a few women who have tried acupuncture and it seems to me that people that believes it will work have much better results than people who dont believe it will work.

Unfortunately, you can't force yourself to believe so if you don't, which i don't think it sounds like you do, then i doubt very much that you will get any benefit from it.

You would be better off spending your money on less expensive forms of relaxation like yoga.

 

[Firefox]

why is it soo expensive?! £40 a time seems really steep!

Im going to look into how much my local one charges, im pretty much willing to try anything at the moment. My natural cures to date havent been successful. Ive only have two periods in two years

Does anyone with PCOS have success stories from acupuncture?

 

[fluffystar]

Hi Firefox,

Im quite sure that accupuncture is helping with my cycles. My periods were quite light and my therapist identified that I needed to increase my blood flow. I had one treatment per week for the first month so she could treat me in each stage of my cycle and then have been having one a month. After 2 months, my periods are heavier and im sure it has raised my progesterone levels in my luteal phase too as my temps are higer and I get much stronger post O signs such as lotiony CM and tender breasts.

I havent had BFP yet but we have male factor too and are going for IUI. Im hoping that the accupuncture means I am in tip top condition for receiving all those great swimmers that they pick out to use!!!

I would give it 2 months and see if you notice and differences in your cycles at all. Then see how you feel about it.

Love fluffyxx

Oh and I agree £40 is a lot (mine is the same) but its quite a standard price for an hour of any holistic therapy.

 

[Mrs G]

I had accupunture during my treatment and I DEF believe it helped and got me by BFP. It may be placebo but if it works, who cares!! I found it made me feel like I was doing something positive at a time when you have little control.

Expensive, yes but would do it again next time.

xx

 

[MrsJA]

Hi princessp,

I tried acupuncture for my first IVF cycle. I didn't mind the first few sessions, but as time went along I really started to dread going. I found the needles in my hands and feet quite painful! Anyway, I persevered but that cycle was a BFN.

For my 2nd IVF cycle I didn't bother - I just had a massage every now and then, which was a much better use of money for me because it relaxed me, which is the same thing acupuncture is intended to do, and because I actually enjoyed it! lol! Anyway, that cycle worked. I think the moral of the story is do whatever feels right for you. And if you're not loving acupuncture, don't bother.

Good luck!

 

[MariaF]

My session costs £45!!! But the lady is quite famous and is called The Baby Whisperer!! I only go twice a month. It hasn't gotten me a BFP yet but I love the experience and how relaxed I feel afterwards so I will keep going

 

[Firefox]

thanks fluffystar, that all sounds good! Fingers crossed for you this cycle!

Would you reccommend having a treatment a month? what kind of time did you aim for in your cycle?

I might wait until ive had my ovarian drilling and then go, I dont think ive got any chance of it helping me at the moment!!

 

[fluffystar]

As I mentioned, I went for 1 treatment a week to start and after discussing with the therapist, we identified that the stage that I needed help was around ovulation time as I was quite easily effected by stress and that was delaying ovulation. I therefore tried to time it for a few days before I was due to O.

Apart from my own issues she said that around O time was a good time for most ladies to make sure you are all cleared and balanced and ready for conception to take place!

xx

 

[fifi-folle]

I went for five months and had 3 BFPs in that time, but m/cd each time. Couldn't afford to carry on going but it definitely helped, also had chinese herbs, it was £25 per session but was going every 2 weeks and the herbs were another £20. Would definitely try it again.
I was very careful in my choice of practitioners, choosing a well known clinic with a proven track record of natural fertility treamtents. It also helps if you get on well with the therapist.

 

[Princess P]

why is it soo expensive?! £40 a time seems really steep!

Unfortunately I think £40 a session is about the going rate where i live - it adds up!

 

[Firefox]

Crazy isnt it! Must be something in it tho, am thinking of giving it a try after the drilling!

Are you going to have any more sessions?

 

[Firefox]

I went for five months and had 3 BFPs in that time, but m/cd each time. Couldn't afford to carry on going but it definitely helped, also had chinese herbs, it was £25 per session but was going every 2 weeks and the herbs were another £20. Would definitely try it again.
I was very careful in my choice of practitioners, choosing a well known clinic with a proven track record of natural fertility treamtents. It also helps if you get on well with the therapist.

Sorry to hear about your losses, Do you know what the herbs were that you were given?

I see on your signature that you had severe endo...did you have any ops? Are you all clear now

 

[Princess P]

Crazy isnt it! Must be something in it tho, am thinking of giving it a try after the drilling!

Are you going to have any more sessions?

I just can't decide. I think I might stop for now but wish i hadn't started in some ways as now I feel guilty for starting and stopping as though it might now go against me!

 

[fifi-folle]

Sorry to hear about your losses, Do you know what the herbs were that you were given?

I see on your signature that you had severe endo...did you have any ops? Are you all clear now

Thanks, I don't know what the herbs were, the herbalist came up with a blend for me. I think I had cold, wet, stagnant blood I've started taking the herbs again and I ovulated earlier than normal.
I've had two laparoscopies where the endo was burnt off and a 6 month course of Zoladex but still have endo and the pain that goes with it. Been told that getting pregnant now would be a good idea as my chances decrease as time goes on as my endo is quite agressive. Hoping that getting pregnant might help, and if not at least having our child would cheer me up!!! (been wanting a baby for years).

 

[BizyBee]

It worked for me. I had irregular cycles (between 55-70 days) and after having acupuncture for a few months, they were around 36 days. I still had other issues, but it helped with the long cycles.

I believe it also helped with my bfp. I had it right before and after my embryo transfer, and it really calmed me (and my uterus). I have continued to go every other week to help prevent miscarriage.

Good luck deciding what to do. Massage is also supposed to be good for fertility, so that may be worth looking into as another option.

 

[Rowan75]

it didnt help me but I just couldnt get my head round it so maybe that does make a difference..I found it really increased my eneergy levels tho - I was a bit hyper afterwardss

 

[Firefox]

This thread is really interesting!! Seems it works for alot of people, has it restored a 'normal' cycle for anyone with pcos that doesnt ovulate at all?

 

[pigsy]

OMG i also go to the Baby Whisperer! I have had 2 sessions and it has definately helped - and i hate needles I have irregular bleeding and sore periods but my FS told me that it was a good sign to show that i was ovulating. 2 sessions in, bleeding very small, and periods came without me being crippled. But it is expensive so good luck with your decision.