Hormones are vital for health and fertility. Together they act like an orchestra, performing a symphony of bodily functions. The body is incredibly interconnected with many processes acting like a chain reaction. When they are performing in tune, fertility is balanced and harmonised. However, when they are performing out of tune, there is imbalance and infertility. Acupuncture acts like a conductor, helping to regulate and balance hormones so they work together in harmony .

It is very useful to have your hormones tested when you are trying to conceive as it gives you a valuable insight into what’s going on inside your body. Hormone tests are valid for around three to four months. After that, new tests should be taken as the body is always changing and your hormone levels may have changed too. The range of a normal hormone level is constantly changing and can vary from clinic to clinic.

Struggling with infertility can be stressful, emotional and draining. Stress and other factors create hormonal imbalances that can negatively impact fertility. From a Western medical point of view, stress can cause people to produce excessive cortisol, the stress hormone. This causes the body to use up important resources as well as affect an embryo implanting into the uterus wall .

Research has shown that women who start fertility treatment with too much cortisol in their body, have a reduced success rate. The same applies to trying naturally. It’s therefore important when trying naturally for a baby to reduce levels of cortisol. Research has shown that acupuncture reduces stress by regulating hormone levels. Exercise can also help to reduce levels of cortisol within the body.

To learn more about your hormones in more details, read My Fertility Guide.