Acupuncture is a type of complementary medicine involving the insertion of small needles into specific acupuncture points in the body. It is believed to work by stimulating the nervous system, which can then affect muscles and glands. It has been estimated that over 30 percent of women undergoing fertility treatment will access an alternative medical approach such as acupuncture during their treatment.ⁱ  Fertility acupuncture gained popularity in North American around 2009. Since then, research of varying quality has been conducted to assess the role of acupuncture in both male and female fertility. Its effectiveness in helping improve fertility, especially with respect to IVF success rates, remains unclear.

Asherman’s syndrome is a rare condition defined by the formation of scar tissue in the uterine cavity. It does not have a genetic predisposition and can affect any woman, with a potential impact on fertility. Most cases develop in women who have undergone uterine surgeries. If a woman has received an Asherman’s syndrome diagnosis and is concerned about its impact on her fertility, it is beneficial to understand the symptoms, causes, and range of potential reproductive outcomes.

Pregnancy loss is a relatively common, often heartbreaking outcome of pregnancy. Statistics on the prevalence of pregnancy loss are variable, though estimates suggest that between 10-30 percent of pregnancies will result in a miscarriage.^i,ii,iii,iv The chance of miscarriage increases based on age and other factors.^v Between 0.2-2.78 percent of pregnancies worldwide will end with stillbirth, which is the loss of a baby after 20 weeks' gestation (24 weeks is the cut-off definition for stillbirth in some regions).^vi,vii,viii Fewer than 0.3 percent of infants die before their first birthday in Western nations.^ix,x  

While losses may be common, each loss is unique, and each person will experience loss differently. The journey through grief can feel lonely, but there are things that can help people navigate towards healing.  

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Can stress harm one’s chances of conceiving a baby? Learn what the research actually says about stress and infertility. 

When someone discloses that they are struggling with fertility, well-meaning friends, family members, and even health care providers, may offer the advice to “just relax and it’ll happen.”  While this may be well-intentioned, it can add to the stress already felt by a person experiencing fertility challenges. It is well-documented that experiencing difficulties when trying to conceive can increase feelings of stress, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety.ⁱ