Treating Fertility with Chinese Medicine

The benefits of Acupuncture and TCM in treatment for the infertile couple can be found in early Chinese medical literature dating back to the 11AD. Not only do these techniques assist in regulating the menstrual cycle and invigorating the sperm, but they also serve to enhance the function of the whole body.

PMS, amenorrhea, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, immune system incongruities, and infertility related hormonal problems are often important parts of the puzzle.

A woman’s natural balanced state, from the time she begins menstruating to the time she begins menopause, is a state of “potentially conceiving.” A deviation from this state does not necessarily imply “infertility” it simply means a shift from one’s optimum reproductive health.

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Individualized treatments

No person’s imbalances are identical to those of anyone else. The initial visit wil include learning about your complete health history, and asking many questions about your body and habits.

Once your state of health has been determined, acupuncture and Chinese herbs tailor-made for your body will be developed. If it appears your diet, exercise habits, and lifestyle are contributing to your imbalance relevant suggestions will be outlined.

Ready To Conceive

Your acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments will start working right away to get your body back to its optimum balance and ready for conception. Typical changes you may sense quickly include: reduction in the stresses that interfere with ovulation, regulation of menses, and a general feeling of good health.

More subtle changes may eventually occur, including a normalization of the hormones that regulate ovulation and allow an egg to be released, an increase in uterine blood flow improving chances of a fertilized egg implanting, or an improvement in ovulation cycles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

All together, TCM will work to get your body in a healthier and more balanced state which will better lend itself to conception.

Male Infertility

Chinese medicine theory applies equally for male factor infertility. A man’s low sperm count, poor motility, morphology, or sexual dysfunction can all be linked to the body’s imbalances and treated with great success.

Can Western Therapies and TCM Work Together?

Yes they can! Currently TCM, both in China and America, is used in conjunction with Western medical techniques and testing to design an effective course of treatment for the couple wishing to achieve not only pregnancy, but a healthy baby delivered at full term.

IVF

One of the most common forms of Western Assisted reproductive therapies is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). During the course of an IVF treatment, the ovaries are stimulated with medication to produce multiple eggs. Those eggs are then retrieved from the body, fertilized with healthy sperm, allowed to develop into a viable embryo, and then transfered back into the uterus.

Benefits of Including TCM

Patients can prepare for this process by optimizing their reproductive health using general principles of TCM to regulate hormones, lower elevated FSH levels, increase ovarian function and the quality of eggs produced, reduce the side effects of hormone treatments, and increase blood flow to the endometrial lining.

Pre & Post-Transfer Treatments

One of the most important implementations of TCM during an IVF treatment is what is commonly referred to as Pre- and Post- Transfer Treatments. The chances of conception increase when reproductive-specific acupuncture is administered prior to and shortly after the embryo is transfered to the uterus during an IVF treatment. Post-transfer treatments can be done even the following day.

A recent German study showed that conception rates increased to 51% when acupuncture is administered before and after transfers, as compared to only 36% when transfers are done without acupuncture.

Advantages to Fertility treatment by TCM

• Safe

• Cost-effective

• Non-surgical / Non-invasive

• Chemical free

HERBS USED TO AID FERTILITY

There are more than 150 different herbs, usually given in complex formulas comprised of 8 or more ingredients. Herbs are used in the treatment of infertility with the purpose of correcting a functional or organic problem that caused infertility.