Acupuncture Use in the Treatment of Reproductive Disorders

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with Western medicine prior to breeding to treat anestrus (period of sexual inactivity), excessive behavioral estrus, retained corpus luteum (an ovarian follicle after discharge of the egg that secretes
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Acupuncture can be a valuable alternative for the treatment of reproductive disorders, according to Rhonda Rathgeber, DVM, PhD, an acupuncturist certified through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). Rathgeber provided an introduction to the workings of acupuncture, as well as its applications in reproductive work at the Hagyard Bluegrass Equine Symposium, which was held Oct. 18-21 in Lexington, Ky.

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with Western medicine prior to breeding to treat anestrus (period of sexual inactivity), excessive behavioral estrus, retained corpus luteum (an ovarian follicle after discharge of the egg that secretes the hormone progesterone), urine pooling, uterine infection and fluid, endometritis (inflammation of the innermost lining of the uterus), and vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina). During pregnancy and foaling, acupuncture can be used as an adjunct therapy for the prevention of abortion, retained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, and insufficient lactation.

Cryptorchid stallions (those having one or more testicles that have not descended into the scrotum), as well as those with libido problems, sore backs, and behavioral issues can also benefit from treatment, Rathgeber says.

Additionally, she reports that analgesia provided by acupuncture might be helpful in combination with conventional anesthesia to reduce the amount of chemical compounds used in procedures, particularly for Caesarean deliveries and debilitated animals

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Written by:

Erin Ryder is a former news editor of The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care.

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